Can I take action against a misrepresentation of myself on the internet?
March 14, 2023 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Johann Kock
Dear Media Law Attorney,
I am reaching out to you as I urgently need help. My name is Anna Rothammer and I am concerned about a false representation of my person on the internet. Recently, an article was published falsely claiming that I am involved in a fraud scandal. These claims are completely untrue and have already had negative effects on my personal and professional life.
I am worried that these false information could damage my reputation and standing. I have already tried to contact the author of the article to correct the false claims, but without success. Therefore, I am wondering if there are legal actions I can take against this false representation of my person on the internet.
Could you please explain to me what legal options I have to address these false claims? Are there laws in media law that can protect me in this situation? How can I have the false information removed and restore my reputation?
Thank you in advance for your help and support on this important matter.
Sincerely,
Anna Rothammer
Dear Mrs. Rothammer,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the incorrect representation of your person on the internet. I am sorry to hear that you are suffering from the negative effects of these false claims. As a media law attorney, I understand your concern for your reputation and am happy to assist you by providing legal support.
With regards to the false claims in the article concerning you, there are legal options available to address them. In media law, there are protection provisions that safeguard your personality rights and prohibit the dissemination of false facts about you. Particularly, the right to one's own image, the right to informational self-determination, and the right to protection against defamation are relevant in this context.
Therefore, you can take legal action to prevent the spread of false information and potentially assert claims for damages. Initially, you should try to contact the author of the article again and request them to correct the false claims or delete the article. If this is unsuccessful, you can involve a lawyer to help you enforce a cease-and-desist declaration or even initiate legal proceedings.
It is important that you gather evidence to prove that the claims in the article are false in order to strengthen your legal position. Additionally, you can also try to request search engines like Google to remove the false information from their search results to restore your reputation.
I hope this information is helpful to you and am available to assist you in this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss further steps and find a solution together.
Sincerely,
Johann Kock
Media Law Attorney
