ECLI:NL:RBAMS:2016:987
Case Details
- Date
- 29 February 2016
- Court
- Rechtbank Amsterdam
- Case Number
- C/13/598372/KG ZA 15-1475 CB/MV
- Outcome
- partially granted
AI Analysis
A daycare center successfully fought against four fake Google reviews that were copied from other websites and used false identities. The court ordered Google to remove the remaining review and provide personal data of all four reviewers, but denied the request to remove the entire review function.
Court Reasoning
- •Four reviews were evidently unlawful as they were fake/spam - copied from other websites and using false identities
- •Google's notice-and-takedown policy had failed despite repeated reports from plaintiff
- •Three reviews were acknowledged by Google as spam after the hearing, the fourth review (Jennifer Claes) used a false portrait photo infringing on portrait rights
- •Plaintiff had legitimate interest in personal data to act against unlawful conduct, which outweighed anonymity of fake reviewers
- •Removal of entire review function was denied as technically impossible and disproportionate infringement on freedom of expression
Key Takeaways
- •Google's notice-and-takedown procedure kan ontoereikend zijn voor kleine bedrijven die geconfronteerd worden met fake reviews
- •Gekopieerde recensies van andere websites en het gebruik van valse identiteiten/foto's maken recensies evident onrechtmatig
- •Bedrijven kunnen NAW-gegevens van fake reviewers vorderen als de onrechtmatigheid evident is
- •Complete verwijdering van recensiefuncties wordt niet toegestaan vanwege vrijheid van meningsuiting
- •Platforms moeten hun eigen policies consequent handhaven, ook zonder gerechtelijke dwang
Significance
Deze uitspraak toont de spanning tussen bescherming tegen fake reviews en vrijheid van meningsuiting, en stelt duidelijke criteria voor wanneer platforms moeten ingrijpen tegen evident onrechtmatige content.
Practical Implications
Bedrijven kunnen juridische stappen ondernemen tegen fake reviews door concrete bewijzen te leveren van kopiëring en valse identiteiten. Platforms moeten hun notice-and-takedown procedures effectiever maken en eigen policies beter handhaven.
Legal Basis
Parties
- Plaintiff:
- Kinderdagverblijf (BV) - slachtoffer van fake review campagne
- Defendant:
- Google Inc. - aanbieder van Google Maps en recensiesysteem
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