Question regarding the time zones in the review.json file about dataset-examples HOT 1 OPEN

Hey, I wonder if your question is solved, as I have the same question myself. The study I'm doing also relies heavily on the accuracy of the time when the review is posted. At first, I assumed the time is in PST, but after I convert it into EST, a big portion of the review is posted between 0 to 2 am, which does not seem right.

Then I tried to match the reviews in the dataset with the reviews on the Yelp website. The Yelp website only shows the date of the review, but I find that the review written between 7 to 8 am as shown in the dataset will be assigned to the previous day during winter, and the same day during summer. And the review before 7 am in the dataset will be shown as written in the previous day in Yelp website. This is true in three states I tested: PA, NV, and AZ. The Yelp website should show the reviews as in the real local time (?), so my guess is that the time in database - 8 = real local time in winter, and time in database -7 = real local time in summer. But I really need some confirmation about this question. I wish someone could answer this question, as it is very critical for the analyzing the data in real time.

from dataset-examples.