Can I have an online review with my name in it removed?
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Can I have an online review with my name in it removed?
I recently received a bad online review on me personally and not the business I
work for. I have only enforced a policy that the business has placed in the terms
and conditions. The review site will not remove it as they believe it is fair.
What is my best approach?
James
Asked on January 16, 2017 under Employment Labor Law, Illinois
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
The review site does not have to remove it and is specifically protected from liability for leaving reviews posted by other people up. Your only real recourse, IF you believe that the review makes untrue *factual* statements about you, would be to sue the person posting the review for defamation: defamation is an untrue statement, made to other people (such as online) which damages your repuation. But it must be stressed that only untrue *facts* are potentially defamation: opinions, no matter how harmful, are allowed and cannot be sued over; and a true fact, even if unfortunate or embarrassing for you, does not provide any basis for liability, either. If you wish to explore this option, consult with a personal injury attorney: the same lawyers who do car accidents and slip-and-fall cases handle defamation matters.
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