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What are the consequences of employees posting fake favourable reviews of business online?

What are the consequences of employees posting fake favorable reviews of business online, please?

I can see a lot of information for posting bad reviews with regards to slander, I am struggling to find courses of action and punishments related to creating fake favorable reviews.

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Nasser Yousuf AlKhamis Advocates & Legal Consultants
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7 Jun 2024, 06:29

Dear S,

We can file a defamation case against those individuals as defaming on public platforms online is a cyber offence in UAE.

Please contact me on the phone for detailed discussion and assistance.

7 Jun 2024, 06:37

Hello Sunil,

Thanks for your swift reply. Is this defamation I thought defamation is related to when you say something bad, but this was a good review, albeit it was a fake one from one of their own employees.

Hence, is it still treated as defamation or something else?

7 Jun 2024, 06:44

Nope, that is not defamation then. Sorry, I did not understand the question earlier properly.

7 Jun 2024, 06:52

Do you understand my question now?

7 Jun 2024, 06:57

Yes. Call me for a detailed discussion and assistance.

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KHE Legal Consultancy
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7 Jun 2024, 06:33

Many employment contracts have clauses regarding ethical conduct and online behavior.

Posting fake reviews could be seen as a breach of contract and lead to disciplinary actions, including termination of employment.

If the company is discovered to be encouraging fake reviews, it can damage its reputation and lead to a loss of consumer trust.

This could ultimately impact the company's bottom line.

So financial damages can be claimed from the employee. Also as a cybercrime fines or imprisonment could be possible consequences.

7 Jun 2024, 06:38

Hello Khaled,

Thanks for your swift reply.

What are the punishments that the employee and employer could receive for creating such fake positive reviews to promote their business?

10 Jun 2024, 05:06

Hi Khaled

10 Jun 2024, 05:17

Kindly share your WhatsApp number to discuss it.

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Hend Humaid Alnuaimi Advocates & Legal Consultants
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10 Jun 2024, 08:41

Dear Questioner,

Consequences of Employees Posting Fake Favorable Reviews of Businesses Online

Employee-generated fake favorable reviews can have significant consequences for businesses, both ethically and legally. Here are some of the key repercussions:

- Deceptive Practices:

Posting fake favorable reviews misleads consumers by presenting a false image of the business. This can lead to customers making decisions based on inaccurate information, ultimately harming their trust in the business.

- Violation of Consumer Protection Laws:

In many jurisdictions, posting fake reviews violates consumer protection laws that prohibit deceptive advertising practices. Businesses found to be engaging in such activities may face legal consequences and fines.

- Damage to Reputation:

Once discovered, fake reviews can severely damage a business’s reputation. Consumers value authenticity and transparency, so being exposed for posting fake reviews can lead to a loss of credibility and trust.

- Negative Impact on SEO:

Search engines like Google penalize businesses that engage in fraudulent practices like posting fake reviews. This can result in a drop in search engine rankings, making it harder for genuine positive reviews to be seen by potential customers.

- Loss of Customer Trust:

Trust is crucial in building long-term relationships with customers. When customers discover that a business has been posting fake reviews, it erodes their trust and can drive them away to competitors who are more transparent and honest.

- Legal Consequences:

Depending on the severity of the deception and the laws in place, businesses caught posting fake reviews may face legal action from consumers or regulatory authorities. This can result in costly lawsuits and damage claims.

- Penalties from Review Platforms:

Many review platforms have strict policies against fake reviews. If employees are caught posting fake favorable reviews, the business may face penalties such as having their reviews removed, accounts suspended, or being banned from the platform altogether.

In conclusion, employees posting fake favorable reviews of businesses online can have serious consequences ranging from legal implications to reputational damage and loss of customer trust.

It is essential for businesses to uphold ethical standards and ensure that all online reviews are genuine and reflective of real customer experiences.

10 Jun 2024, 09:19

Great answer, Hend!

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