How can I stop a company from bombarding our company with bad social media reviews?

Dear Inquirer,

Thank you for reaching out. In this case, the defamation through negative reviews can harm your company’s reputation, but there are steps you can take:

Document Evidence: Keep a record of all communication and reviews as evidence of defamation.

Report the Reviews: You can report defamatory reviews to Google for violations of their policies, including fake or defamatory content.

Send a Formal Legal Notice: Consider sending a cease-and-desist letter to the maintenance company requesting that they stop posting defamatory reviews. This could be followed by a formal complaint to the relevant authorities.

Legal Action: If the defamation continues, you may need to pursue a legal claim for reputational damage.

We strongly recommend consulting with a legal expert to assess the full scope of action.

Book a consultation with "Future Vision for Advocacy and Legal Consultancy" to explore your legal options and take the best course of action.

We are happy at Future Vision Law Advocates and Legal Consultancy to assist you and provide the best legal services that meet your needs.

To contact us, you can call or WhatsApp us.

Hello,

In the context of your situation, the 1-star reviews and any false claims regarding your business or the dispute could qualify as defamation, especially if the reviews contain false information.

The intent behind the reviews is to damage your business reputation.

The statements are malicious or untrue. If the maintenance company continues to post defamatory reviews or make false claims, you have to send them a cease and desist letter.

If the defamatory reviews continue to harm your reputation, you can consider pursuing legal action for defamation.

For further assistance, kindly share your Whatsapp number.

Dear Questioner,

Thank you for bringing this issue to my attention. Based on the situation you've described regarding the maintenance company’s defamation campaign and the outstanding payment, here are the key actions we can take:

1. Defamation and Negative Reviews

Defamation Laws in the UAE: The defamatory reviews posted by the maintenance company may fall under UAE Cybercrime Laws, which criminalize the act of defamation, including malicious and false online reviews.

These types of actions can result in legal consequences such as fines or imprisonment.

Document the Reviews: It's essential to collect and preserve all evidence of the defamatory reviews posted on Google.

Make sure to take screenshots, save the URLs, and document the content of the reviews to support any legal actions we may take.

2. Reporting the Defamation

Google and Other Platforms: You can report defamatory reviews to Google and request their removal, citing violations of their policies on fake or defamatory content.

Google typically investigates and may remove reviews that breach their guidelines.

Police Complaint: If the reviews persist and damage your company’s reputation, we can file a defamation complaint with the local authorities or the UAE Cybercrime Unit.

This could result in further legal action against the responsible party.

3. Taking Legal Action for Defamation

Criminal Defamation: Under the UAE Cybercrime Law, publishing defamatory content online is a criminal offense. If proven, the maintenance company could face penalties including fines and imprisonment.

Civil Lawsuit: You may also pursue a civil claim for damages caused by the defamatory reviews, seeking compensation for both the reputational damage and the financial loss incurred.

4. Resolving the Financial Dispute

Payment Settlement: As the amount owed (1,300 AED) is relatively small, we can initiate a formal settlement process. We may consider mediation, arbitration, or even proceeding through the UAE small claims court to resolve this issue efficiently.

Official Communication: It is essential to ensure that all communication with the maintenance company is formal and documented, stating that you are open to resolving the payment issue through the appropriate legal channels.

5. Cease and Desist Notice

To stop the maintenance company from posting further defamatory reviews, we can send a cease and desist letter informing them that their actions are unlawful and carry legal consequences if they continue.

6. Managing Your Online Reputation

While we address legal matters, I would advise you to proactively manage your company’s online reputation by encouraging satisfied customers to post positive reviews. This will help counterbalance the negative impact of the defamatory reviews.

Please let me know how you would like to proceed or if you would like me to initiate any of the steps outlined above. I am happy to assist in taking the necessary legal actions to protect your company’s interests.

Best regards,

Mohammed Salah

Legal Consultant

Dear Client,

Thank you for bringing this complex situation to our attention.

Based on the details provided, we recommend the following course of action:

1. Documentation: Meticulously compile all evidence pertaining to the maintenance company's substandard service, resultant financial and reputational losses, and the defamatory reviews posted on your Google account.

2. Google Review Reporting: Formally report the malicious 1-star reviews to Google, clearly explaining their retaliatory nature and lack of genuine customer feedback.

3. Formal Cease and Desist: Issue a formal cease and desist letter to the maintenance company, outlining how their actions constitute defamation and potentially violate UAE cybercrime laws. Demand immediate removal of the false reviews.

4. Business Protection Department (BPD) Complaint: Given the commercial nature of your dispute, file a formal complaint with the BPD in Dubai. They specialize in mediating such conflicts. Please note the filing fee is AED 2,020.

5. Legal Consultation: Should the maintenance company persist, we advise consulting a lawyer specializing in cybercrime and defamation cases.

Under UAE law, online defamation carries significant penalties, including fines of AED 250,000 to 500,000 and potential imprisonment.

6. Outstanding Payment Resolution: While addressing the defamation issue, we recommend arranging payment of the AED 1,300 owed through official channels. This demonstrates good faith and removes any potential justification for their actions.

It's crucial to note that in the UAE, posting false or malicious reviews can be considered a cybercrime. We advise focusing on resolving this dispute through official channels while simultaneously protecting your company's reputation from unjustified attacks.

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you require further assistance or legal representation in this matter.

Greetings of the day,

You may consider taking legal action against the maintenance company for defamation and harassment, as their actions are damaging your company's reputation.

Since you have evidence of the financial and reputational losses incurred due to their poor service, you can also file a counterclaim if they pursue legal action for the unpaid AED 1,300.

Additionally, you can report the false reviews to Google for violating their review policies and request their removal.

If the harassment continues, you may consider sending a legal notice to demand they cease their defamatory actions and resolve the dispute through proper legal channels.

Best Regards,

Sara Al Saedi Advocates and Legal Consultants

Thank you for reaching out regarding your dispute with the maintenance company.

I understand that this situation is not only causing financial damage but also affecting your reputation through the defamation reviews.

Given the circumstances, here’s what I suggest:

Document Everything: It’s crucial to keep all evidence of the losses you’ve incurred, as well as any communication with the maintenance company, especially regarding the payment dispute. This will be essential if the matter progresses to legal action.

Defamation Concerns: The 1-star defamation reviews could be damaging, and they may potentially constitute defamation under UAE law.

You have the right to take legal action against defamatory statements or reviews that are false and harm your business reputation.

The reviews on your Google account could be challenged, and you can seek to have them removed or corrected.

Legal Action: You have already suggested that they take the issue to the authorities, which is the appropriate course of action.

If the maintenance company continues to threaten you with more negative reviews rather than resolving the matter legally, this could be grounds for an additional defamation lawsuit.

Request a Formal Cease and Desist: You may want to issue a formal cease-and-desist letter to the maintenance company, demanding that they stop posting defamatory reviews and proceed with their claims through the correct legal channels.

Engage in a Settlement: If possible, attempt to resolve the dispute through an amicable settlement before things escalate. This could involve a mediation session or simply negotiating a mutually acceptable payment plan.

To proceed effectively and ensure your company is protected, I can assist you in drafting the necessary legal documents, such as a cease-and-desist letter, or help guide you through a defamation claim.

Please feel free to reach out to me directly on WhatsApp, phone, or via email at srana@advocatesrana.com to discuss your case further. I’m happy to provide you with a tailored strategy to resolve this matter.

Best regards,

Suhail Rana

Hello,

The best course of action is to first send a legal notice demanding that they cease their defamatory actions immediately and warning them of the legal consequences if they continue.

If they persist, you may file a criminal complaint with the UAE police or the Cybercrime Division for online defamation and blackmail.

If you need assistance in drafting a legal notice or filing a complaint, you may contact me by email or phone to take the appropriate legal steps to protect your company’s rights.