// Netherlands · Review removal

Law firm's bid to remove negative Google reviews rejected by court

Rechtbank Noord-Nederland · 15 September 2025

ECLI:NL:RBNNE:2025:3760

The case

A law firm demanded Google remove four negative reviews it considered fake, plus disclosure of user data from 20 accounts. The court denied both claims as unlawfulness of the reviews was not established and plaintiffs failed to provide concrete substantiation why the reviews would be fake.

What the court considered

01Unlawfulness of reviews not established - reviews could be based on genuine customer experiences despite trend break
02No concrete substantiation per review why it would be fake - plaintiffs only expressed general suspicions
03Reviews contain subjective experience assessments whose factual accuracy cannot be objectively determined
04For data disclosure, legal relationship lacking due to absence of demonstrated wrongful act per user
05No demonstrable damage as business still maintains 5-star rating after 276 reviews

What this means in practice

Companies must substantiate in concrete and detailed terms why each review is false per review, general suspicions or patterns are insufficient. For data disclosure, a strong substantiation of unlawful conduct per user is required. This ruling clarifies the high burden of proof for companies wishing to have fake reviews removed and emphasizes the protection of subjective experience-based opinions in online reviews.

Legal basis

Artikel 194 Rv
Artikel 195a Rv
Artikel 6:162 BW
Artikel 9 Digital Services Act
Artikel 10 Digital Services Act

Review removal

Related rulings

// GET IN TOUCH

Free Case Assessment

Describe your situation and receive a free assessment of your chances, estimated hours, and recommended approach, within 48 hours.

Free & no obligation

Response within 48 hours

Over 90% of our requests granted

600+ cases handled

Your data is treated confidentially