Created and written by Karley Cauchi student at Curtin University for NET303 Internet Politics and Power

1. Online Policy Primer Case Study;
Trip Advisor’s
Terms and Conditions Explained
Created and written by
Karley Cauchi student at
Curtin University for
NET303 Internet Politics and Power

2. What is TripAdvisor?
TripAdvisor is a travel
website providing reviews
of travel-related content.
It also includes interactive
travel forums. TripAdvisor
was an early adopter of
user-generated content.
TripAdvisor is an interactive travel based website that
enables people to review travel related content, from hotels,
to activities and more. It also features an interactive travel
forum.
The website is free to users, who upload a majority of the
content via the website.
In order to monitor and regulate the content online users
need to agree to certain Terms and Conditions.
Source: TripAdvisor.com.au

3. About Trip Advisor
TripAdvisor allows users to submit reviews and
photos about their travels.
Whether it be uploading photos of a hotel, or a
rating for a restaurant, even booking a holiday
or giving feedback about an activity, Trip
Advisor is made up of user generated content.
Travel
provider,
e.g.
hotel
Source: TripAdvisor.com.au
Image: Design Travel Vector. Source from http://4vector.com/free-vector/
design-elements-vector-fashion-travel-6753

4. How do you get started
So you want to contribute and have your say on Trip Advisor. Easy, all
you need to do is join! You can sign in with your Social media accounts
or email account.
Google Facebook Email
Image Source: www.Google.com; www.Facbook.com; www.iconarchive.com

5. Your nearly there, just read those T&C’s
Wait, did you actually read the Terms and Conditions,
or did you just tick the box and start using.
Just 7% of Britons read the
online terms and
conditions when signing up
for products and services
Whilst 43% of those who
don’t always read the
Terms and Conditions say
they are boring or difficult
to understand.
By not reading and understanding the Terms and
Conditions, users become vulnerable to the company’s
rules
Source: http://www.theguardian.com/money/2011/may/11/terms-conditions-small-print-big-problems

6. So lets take a closer look at the main Terms and
Conditions of TripAdvisor.com.au
Review and Comments
Notice and Takedowns
Content and Ownership
Privacy
Terms and Condition changes
Eh…That’s interesting…
Gamestation, a software retailer,
decided to include an 'Immortal Souls'
clause to their T&C’s. This basically
meant that Gamestation would legally
own the 'souls' of customers who
bought from them. Their little jokes
shows how easily users sign the T&C’s
without reading them. Scary!!!
Source: Dewey 2013
Image Source: www.iconarchive.com

7. Reviews and Comments
So that means…
Trip Advisor takes no responsibility for any post or review by its users. Trip Advisor will not edited or alter any
posts, but will removed without notice or reason if they deem necessary. Trip Advisor also states that users
enter this online chat rooms made available on the site, as well as forums at the users own risk, meaning it
will not be responsible for any messages or contact between users. Users agree not to post, upload or forward
on any unlawful information via the Trip Advisor Website. As well as any offensive material, illegal activity,
copyright material etc.
BE sure before you review and post information, that your opinions won’t have any implications further
down the track
Image Source: www.iconarchive.com

8. Notice and Takedown
So that means…
Trip Advisor will advise you that your comment or review has had a complaint about it, then they will remove
the comment or review with out further notice. Any comments or reviews that you post, could be used
against you in court. Trip Advisor holds no responsibility for the information you have uploaded on the
website.
MAKE sure when you post online that you research and are confident of the information you are provide, as
you may need to justify why to a judge.
Image Source: www.iconarchive.com

9. Content - Ownership
So that means…
The user agrees not to change, copy, distribute etc. Trip Advisor’s content. Inturn Trip Advisor requires you to
agree that any content you upload to the site, royalty free. Which means that you will not seek any payment
for the content you upload. Users are basically writing reviews and commenting on services and products as a
free service. Not only can Trip Advisor use this content they can also sub-lease your content and information
to third parties.
IT may be your content but once you upload, consider it anyone’s.
Image Source: www.iconarchive.com

10. Privacy
So that means…
Every time you log on to Trip Advisor, they can monitor your activity. Places and information who have
searched for whilst on the site. Trip Advisor also obtains your IP address, which is your computer’s ID, and
saves information through cookie files to find out information about your internet usage. Trip Advisor will also
provide your details, directly or indirectly to their partners for research and marketing.
SO your privacy isn’t really private when you sign up.
Image Source: www.iconarchive.com

11. Terms and Conditions changes
So that means…
Though you have signed and agreement to the terms and conditions at the time, these could change without
notice to you. Its important, you keep an eye on any updated terms and conditions posted by Trip Advisor and
make yourself familiar with them again.
Just because you agreed to the T&Cs last year, doesn't’t mean they haven’t changed. Regular check ups on
the Term and Conditions is important.
Image Source: www.iconarchive.com

12. So what about those Terms and Conditions….
Terms and Conditions, are there to protect
both the company and the user. Some
companies though try to protect
themselves over their clients.
So next time you sign up online whether on
TripAdvisor.com.au or another site, take
the time to read and understand the rules
and regulations before you tick the little
box!
Read before
you tick

13. REFERENCES
Dewey, C (2013) Why you should read those ‘terms & conditions’ before clicking ‘agree’. Retrieved from
http://www.grbj.com/articles/78420-why-you-should-read-those-terms-conditions-before-clicking-agree
Giancy, R (2014) Will you read this article about terms and conditions? You really should do. Retrieved from
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/24/terms-and-conditions-online-small-print-
information
McGuinness, R (2014) Terms and conditions may apply… Does anybody read internet T&Cs? Retrieved from
http://metro.co.uk/2014/07/01/terms-and-conditions-may-apply-does-anybody-read-internet-tcs-4781976
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse (2008). Privacy and the Internet: Travelling in Cyberspace Safely. Retrieved from
https://www.privacyrights.org/online-privacy-using-internet-safely
Smithers, R (2011) Terms and conditions: not reading the small print can mean big problems.
Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/money/2011/may/11/terms-conditions-small-print-big-problems
Trip Advisor (2014) Privacy Policy. Retrieved from http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/pages/privacy.html
Trip Advisor (2014) Terms of Use. Retrieved from http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/pages/terms.html