OpenTable’s restaurant pages nonetheless characteristic a variety of critiques left by nameless diners for the time being, however that won’t be the case beginning subsequent month. The net restaurant reservation service is altering its coverage round critiques in order that they don’t seem to be as nameless — and it is even making use of the brand new rule retroactively. As BleepingComputer stories, it advised customers in an electronic mail that beginning on Might 22, it “will start displaying diner first names and profile images on all diner critiques.” Additional, “this replace may even apply to previous critiques.”
“We have heard from you, our diners, that belief and transparency are necessary when taking a look at critiques,” the corporate additionally stated in its letter, insinuating that it is altering the best way critiques work primarily based on consumer suggestions. As BleepingComputer says, it will be simple to match a foul evaluate with buyer reservation information primarily based on the consumer’s first title and when the publish was made.
Whereas that is not almost as dangerous as Glassdoor publishing folks’s names alongside their employer critiques with out consent, it may nonetheless be very uncomfortable for individuals who wished to speak about dangerous experiences with out the concern of not being welcomed again into a selected institution. Certain, the brand new rule may be sure that dangerous critiques have advantage, {that a} buyer legitimately dined at that restaurant and any criticism they point out really is value wanting into. However we would not be shocked if folks really feel delay and even betrayed by the choice to use this upcoming coverage to previous posts.
Those that don’t have any intention to return to eating places they did not notably like may change their first names if they need, although future reservations will likely be made underneath that title. Customers may change their profile footage if they need and even delete their critiques altogether earlier than Might 22.