Inspectors then developed professional reviews (reviews are published not only in guides but also in magazines and websites, etc.). Such professional reviews are considered as detailed evaluation and test of a restaurant and thus offer an in-depth analysis of the restaurant’s cuisine, service, and overall experience. However, new technologies may undermine the interests of these professional reviews. II. THE EFFECT OF WEB AND SOCIAL NETWORKS ON PROMOTION OF GASTRONOMY With the development of the Internet and social networks, customers became in turn sort of “inspectors” as they posted online their opinions and reviews – in particular in the restaurants sector. This was the case with platforms such as TripAdvisor or The Fork for instance. Such reviews made by customers who are not professional food critics are nowadays widely posted online on these platforms. Nevertheless, it is considered that they offer a valuable insight into the customer’s experience and can actually influence the behaviour of potential new customers before their visit.4 Indeed, today more than 70% of Internet users find out about reviews of the establishments they plan to visit. But customers reviews can be subject to criticisms too… Thus, even though online reviews are subject to the general principles (and legal limits) of freedom of speech (A) it appeared necessary to avoid misleading customers who would be inclined to rely on such reviews (B). A. The freedom of speech in customers reviews It should be first outlined that the opinion posted by the customer of a restaurant is protected by the freedom of speech. Hence, even the posting a negative review of a restaurant on the Internet is not considered as faulty but rather as falling under the freedom of speech, which is a fundamental right, protected by Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Nevertheless, some legal limits exist and this right will be regulated if the reviews made appeared to be either defamatory, insulting or denigrating. 4 For an analysis of customers’ behaviour, see for instance: https://hellolacom.com/limpact-des-critiques-gastronomiques-et-comment-les-gerer/ 137 LEGAL PROTECTION OF GASTRONOMY IN FRANCE
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