Imagine you're the owner of a small restaurant, just barely scraping by after the COVID lockdowns.
One morning you open the Yelp app to see if there are any reviews you need to respond to and you are greeted by this:
Sorry, what now?
This is all part of Yelp's new "Firm Stance on Racism" that allows the platform to warn users "when a business gains public attention for reports of racist conduct, such as using racist language or symbols."
Now you might be wondering...
What rigorous due process will Yelp undertake to ensure that this new virtuous system isn't abused by Karens mad that their fries came out cold?
What options has Yelp provided to allow you to defend yourself before receiving the business-shuttering dark mark of "Racist"?
Nothing. You just need to be accused.
What could possibly go wrong?
Twitter users roundly (and rightly) excoriated Yelp for this move. Some seeing it as yet another example of big tech companies making themselves the arbiters of truth and morality.
You can read the accompanying blog post for a masterclass in virtue-signaling.
