Today we had a phone call with representatives from TripAdvisor, and I wanted to share with you all how it went. The company has already alluded in some articles to changes they are making in response to our pressure, and in our phone call they confirmed that those are underway, though they couldn’t reveal more about what they might be. I shared with them the following two changes which I want to see made on the site:

• TripAdvisor needs to implement an email or hotline which users with health and safety concerns like mine can contact, and be put into contact with a real human. It took me three weeks of emailing their press and support lines to get a response that wasn’t automated – this is unacceptable.
• We need a much more effective system to visibly flag businesses with sexual assault allegations against them. The badge system TripAdvisor implemented is unclear and not working, considering that only four businesses are currently flagged.

The representatives indicated to us that they are speaking with several of the survivors who have spoken up with stories like mine, and agreed to continue discussions with me as they move forward in the process.

Overall, I feel good about the conversation. I’m grateful to everyone who has joined my campaign and helped to get the company’s attention – I wouldn’t have been on that call without your support. I plan to continue communications with TripAdvisor, and will keep you updated on how things move along.

K