A 22-year-old online buyer in Moscow checks a dress in November that was purchased on a Chinese e-commerce platform. [Bai Xueqi / Xinhua]

ONE OF THE ADVANTAGES of e-commerce is people can leave reviews of the products and services they buy, so potential customers know what to expect. However, some companies have brought lawsuits against people posting negative reviews to claim compensation and some judges have ruled in their favor saying some of the evaluations by consumers are insulting and constitute defamation. Beijing Youth Daily commented on Wednesday:

In recent years, with the rise of online shopping, many consumers evaluate the products or services they purchase by posting reviews. However, while businesses are happy to receive praise, that is, naturally, not the case when they receive less favorable assessments. Some have even filed lawsuits against negative reviewers claiming compensation. What is more, some businesses harass negative reviewers by leaking their personal information to illegal sites.

In this regard, it is necessary to emphasize it is people's right to leave genuine reviews, positive or negative. Strictly speaking, the right to comment or review is the right of supervision, which helps protect consumers. The law clearly gives consumers the right of quality supervision.

But businesses also have the right to protect their image and reputation in the courts as well.

However, some businesses seek to disregard genuine public supervision even if the goods and services they provide do have flaws or problems. Some even offer "rewards" for customers' praise or harass them if they post criticisms. This is against the interests of consumers, who have the right to get information on the goods and services they intend to buy.

Customer reviews are a means for consumers to exercise their right to know and choose. They also help to create a healthy market order, as those businesses that collect only negative feedback will have to cease operations as they will not get any customers.

The protection mechanism for posting negative reviews should be improved to prevent customers from suffering any retaliation for leaving unfavorable reviews.