What does 'Feedback Removed' in a provider profile mean?

On rare occassions, after Elance Escrow mediation, both buyer and provider may have agreed to block the feedback left on a provider's profile.  This is done by replacing the text with 'Feedback Removed'.  Leaving a record of the feedback removal is necessary in order to maintain the integrity and accuracy of the feedback system. The feedback removal record is meant to address those cases where a service provider or buyer exhibits a pattern of disputes or misunderstandings. Buyers and service providers have both expressed strong wishes to see an indication of such a pattern even if the actual feedback has been removed.

Displaying a record of the feedback removal not only provides an accurate history, but it also helps prevent abuse from service providers and buyers and helps those who are not involved in repeated disputes to differentiate themselves.

The record is not intended to penalize service providers or buyers who have worked hard to resolve their dispute through Elance Escrow mediation, and is a middle ground between prohibiting the removal of feedback and deleting all record of the project.