Can I be legally held accountable for negative reviews on the internet?
November 5, 2022 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Christiane Melzer
Dear lawyer,
My name is Andrea Hartmann and I run a small online shop for handmade jewelry. Recently, I have been receiving an increasing number of negative reviews on various review platforms on the internet. These reviews often criticize the quality of my products or customer service. I am concerned that these negative reviews could harm my business and I wonder if I can be legally held accountable if I take action against these reviews.
Currently, my main concern is how I can protect myself against these negative reviews on the internet. I would like to know if there are legal options to address unjustified and defamatory reviews. At the same time, I want to ensure that I do not make myself legally vulnerable by taking action against the authors of these reviews.
Could you please explain to me what legal steps I can take in this situation? Are there ways to hold the authors of the negative reviews accountable without risking legal consequences myself? I would be very grateful if you could provide me with an overview of my rights and responsibilities in this matter.
Thank you in advance for your help and support.
Sincerely,
Andrea Hartmann
Dear Mrs. Hartmann,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the negative reviews you have recently received on various online review portals. It is understandable that these reviews are causing you concern and that you are wondering how to address them without putting yourself at risk legally.
First and foremost, I would like to emphasize that as the operator of an online shop for handmade jewelry, you have the right to take action against unjustified and defamatory reviews. Negative reviews can harm your reputation and business, so it is important that you take appropriate measures to protect yourself.
Regarding the legal steps you can take in this situation, there are various options available. Firstly, you should carefully review the reviews and consider whether they are indeed false or defamatory. If so, you can ask the authors of the reviews to delete or correct them. You can also contact the operators of the review portals and request the removal of the negative reviews.
If the authors of the reviews are not willing to change or delete them, you may consider taking legal action. Depending on whether the reviews contain false statements of fact or mere expressions of opinion, you can assert claims for injunction or damages. It is important that you seek advice from a lawyer to ensure that you are taking the correct legal steps.
However, it is important to note that when asserting claims for injunction or damages against the authors of the negative reviews, you must ensure that you stay within the bounds of what is legally permissible. For example, if you unjustly restrict the authors' freedom of speech, you could expose yourself to legal risks.
Overall, it is important that you respond to negative reviews professionally and objectively and seek legal advice if necessary to address unjustified and defamatory reviews without exposing yourself to legal risks.
I hope that this information has been helpful to you. If you have any further questions or require legal assistance, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Christiane Melzer
Lawyer specializing in Internet and Computer Law
