BBB serving the Heart of Texas has the "right to report" on businesses because it is protected under the First Amendment and the Communications Decency Act of 1996. The First Amendment allows BBB to develop Business Profiles in support of our public service vision and mission.
BBB provides responsible communication on matters of public interest. Since 1912, we have provided information about businesses and their marketplace conduct. We report fairly, treating all businesses and consumers the same, providing objective and accurate reports on business without bias or opinion. The published unaltered complaints and reviews include consumer and business responses, with redactions of personal identifiable information, as that is considered each individual's intellectual property. BBB HoT does not profit from the public report on business, and the reports are without charge and accessible to the public, based upon request.
Like the media and other reporting organizations, BBB''s "right to report" is based on qualified privilege. BBB has a social duty to report on businesses in its service area to help advance our mission to promote ethical business practice and business self-regulation in the marketplace. What we report is based on truth; therefore, we are obligated to make the information publicly available.
If you have any concerns on BBB's right to report, please contact us at 844.477.1099.