"The issue raises questions about the role of a hotel review site as a public forum, and the role that TripAdvisor should play as a mediator. The company hosts

"The issue raises questions about the role of a hotel review site as a public forum, and the role that TripAdvisor should play as a mediator. The company hosts more than 535 million user reviews online, and is worth more than $1.5 billion It derives much of its revenue from referrals to hotel sites, and also has an “instant booking” feature, allowing users to book directly through the site. Its relationships with hotel properties are integral to the company’s bottom line, according to an August filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission obtained by the Journal Sentinel. In it, TripAdvisor financial officers stressed the importance that the company convert visitors into “users and bookers.” “Advertisers will not continue to do business with us if their investment in such advertising does not generate sales leads, customers, bookings, or revenue and profit,” they wrote." Like Yelp, this is an opaque business entirely focused on profit. From 'news' sites with readers comment sections on selected articles to review sites like TripAdvisor, the whole mysterious disappearing posts due to 'moderators' is getting beyond the pale. Not sure how this could be regulated but free speech comes up in my mind...