TripAdvisor has disabled the ability to leave comments on Russian tourist attractions and restaurants after social media users used review platforms to warn citizens not to believe President Putin’s propaganda.
On Monday, internet users began a campaign of leaving messages directly addressing the Russian people via Google reviews.
The idea was shared by Anonymous, an international group of hackers, who told their 7.7m followers: “Go to Google maps. Go to Russia. Find a restaurant or business and write a review.
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Go to Google Maps. Go to Russia. Find a restaurant or business and write a review. When you write the review explain what is happening in Ukraine.
Idea via @Konrad03249040
“When you write the review explain what is happening in Ukraine.”
It even gave an example text, suggesting people wrote in Russian: “The food was great! Unfortunately, Putin spoiled our appetites by invading Ukraine.”
As reviewers complained that Google had begun deleting their reviews, TripAdvisor also disabled the ability to leave reviews for Russian establishments.
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Now a message on the site reads: “Due to a recent event that has attracted media attention and has caused an influx of review submissions that do not describe a first-hand experience, we have temporarily suspended publishing new reviews for this listing.
“If you’ve had a first-hand experience at this property, please check back soon – we’re looking forward to receiving your review!”
In a statement, the site said: “Tripadvisor remains shocked and saddened by the heartbreaking scenes we are all witnessing in Ukraine, and our thoughts are with every victim of this invasion.”
It added: “As the world’s most trusted travel guidance platform, we remain focused on protecting the integrity of content on Tripadvisor and in doing so, we are taking numerous steps to ensure that our users can get accurate information about any open business, anywhere in the world and that we provide travellers and diners with information to help keep them safe.”
Tripadvisor will also be halting commerce with all Russian-state or oligarch-owned businesses.
Google also confirmed over the weekend it had disabled live traffic in data in Ukraine for the safety of local communities.
President Putin has put pressure on Russian media outlets who do not follow the “official” state narrative – which includes not referring to the conflict as an “invasion” or “war”.
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Russia instead calls it a “special operation” to “de-Nazify” and demilitarise Ukraine – a justification that has been dismissed by Kyiv and the West as propaganda.
Inside Russia, a top radio station critical of the Kremlin, was taken off the air after authorities threatened to shut it down over its coverage of the invasion.
