The law signed by Gov. Jerry Brown, which appears to be the first of its kind in the United States, prevents companies from including “non-disparagement” clauses in their contracts with customers. These clauses are often hidden in long user agreements that many consumers unwittingly agree to when using a service. Such legislation might seem unnecessary since forcefully silencing one’s customers seems to be a clear violation of the First Amendment. However, that hasn’t stopped a number of companies from trying to mute criticism using just the type of contracts this bill outlaws. Read More ›