Can I take legal action to remove a negative review about my business?

Thank you for reaching out!

Defamation and reputational damage are serious matters under UAE law. If the review contains false allegations or misleading statements that harm your business, legal action can be taken to have it removed.

The UAE has strict defamation and cybercrime laws that prohibit false and damaging statements online.

Depending on the circumstances, you may have grounds to request the removal of the review through legal notice, or even pursue a claim for damages if necessary.

I can assess the specifics of the review and advise on the best legal course of action.

Please reach out to me via WhatsApp or phone to discuss this further.

Best regards,

Suhail Rana

Dear questioner,

You have the right to take legal action if the review contains false or defamatory claims that harm your business reputation.

You can file a complaint with the relevant authorities, such as the court or the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), to request the removal of the review and take legal action against the responsible person if damage is proven.

For further legal assistance, feel free to contact me.

Mohamed Salah Shoeib

Legal Consultant

Dear Inquirer,

Thank you for reaching out!

In cases of negative reviews, legal actions depend on whether the review contains false information, defamation, or violates any applicable laws.

If the review is merely an opinion, it may be protected under free speech. However, if it includes false claims that harm your business, legal remedies such as a defamation claim or a takedown request may be possible.

To assess your specific situation and determine the best course of action, we recommend booking a consultation through our website or contacting us directly for legal assistance.

Best regards,

Dear Valued Client,

Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention!

We understand the impact negative reviews can have on a business. Based on the current legal framework in the UAE, we can offer the following professional advice:

1. Review Assessment:

Carefully evaluate the content of the review to determine if it contains false statements that could be considered defamatory under UAE law.

2. Legal Framework:

- UAE Penal Code Articles 425 and 426 address defamation that harms reputation or exposes individuals or businesses to public contempt.

- Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 covers online publications of false or misleading information that may harm public interest or disturb public peace.

3. Potential Legal Actions:

If the review contains demonstrably false statements causing harm to your business, you may consider:

a) Criminal charges for defamation

b) Civil lawsuit for damages

4. Cautionary Note:

Legal action should be considered carefully, as it may escalate the situation and potentially draw unwanted attention to the negative review.

5. Alternative Approaches:

- Direct communication with the customer to address their concerns

- Contacting the platform hosting the review to determine if it violates their content policies

6. Evidence Collection:

If you decide to pursue legal action, gather all relevant evidence, including the review itself, any correspondence with the customer, and documentation of business impact.

Given the complexities of defamation law in the UAE and the potential risks involved, we strongly recommend scheduling a consultation with a legal professional specializing in this area before taking any formal action.

This will allow for a thorough evaluation of your specific case and the development of an appropriate strategy.

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you require further assistance or wish to schedule a consultation.

Yours sincerely,

If a review contains false statements that harm your business's reputation, it could be considered defamation.

While consumers have the right to express their opinions, they must do so within legal boundaries. Most online platforms have policies against false or defamatory reviews.

Report the review to the platform and provide evidence to support your claim. Platforms may remove reviews that violate their terms of service.

Greetings,

No action should be taken against anyone for expressing their opinion in evaluating the company's work.

No legal action can be taken.

Best Regards,

Dear Questioner,

If the comment represents abusive or defamatory language, you can warn him to remove the comment, and if he does not remove it, you must file a police complaint against him, and you can also demand compensation for the damage he caused you.

Dear questioner,

You can file a defamation case against the customer in the police with evidence.

If you need further clarification, kindly share your WhatsApp number.

Below is the most effective legal approach to resolve this matter:

1. Assessing the Legality of the Review

Before taking legal action, we need to determine whether the review is:

- Defamatory or False: If the review contains false statements, misleading claims, or fabricated experiences, it may be considered defamation under UAE law (Article 425 of the UAE Penal Code).

- Harmful to Reputation: If the review includes insulting, offensive, or damaging statements beyond a simple opinion, you may have grounds to request its removal.

- Breach of UAE Cybercrime Law: If the review was published on social media or an online platform, it may fall under Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 (UAE Cybercrime Law), which criminalizes false online statements that damage a business.

2. Legal & Non-Legal Actions You Can Take

a. Send a Legal Notice: If the review is false, misleading, or defamatory, we can send a cease-and-desist notice to the reviewer, demanding removal and an apology.

b. File a Complaint with UAE Authorities: If the review is defamatory, false, or harmful to business reputation, we can file a formal complaint with the police or cybercrime unit under Article 425 of the UAE Penal Code. If found guilty, the reviewer could face fines and penalties.

c. Defamation Lawsuit: If the review caused significant financial harm or reputation damage, you may have grounds for a civil lawsuit to claim damages.

3. Recommended Next Steps

a. Share the review link with us: We will assess its content for legal violations.

b. Determine the best approach: legal notice, or formal complaint.

c. Proceed with legal action if necessary: If the review meets defamation criteria, we can escalate the case.

Let us know how you’d like to proceed, and we’ll guide you through the best course of action.

Best regards,

Omar Mosaad

Senior Legal Consultant