Tokyo: Approximately 60 medical professionals in Japan have filed a collective lawsuit against Google Maps, alleging that the platform disregards malicious reviews of their clinics. This legal action, heralded as unprecedented, seeks a total of 1.4 million yen ($9,000) in damages from Google, aiming to hold the American tech giant responsible for its failure to address these reviews.
The doctors lodged their complaint on Thursday, asserting that their commitment to patient confidentiality prevents them from responding to or disputing damaging reviews.
According to one doctor involved in the lawsuit, individuals can anonymously post anything online, including slanderous or abusive comments. He likened the experience to being a target for attacks, expressing his sentiments anonymously.
This lawsuit, presented at the Tokyo District Court, is believed to be the first of its kind in Japan targeting a platform for negative online reviews, as per a lawyer representing the plaintiffs.
The lawyer emphasized the challenge of having such reviews removed, despite their ease of posting. He underscored the potential negative impact on doctors’ ability to perform their duties effectively if left unaddressed.
The plaintiffs argue that many medical facilities prioritize addressing patients’ health issues professionally, rather than solely aiming to satisfy them superficially. They also contend that doctors may face personal attacks online due to the nature of their profession, potentially leading to reluctance in providing necessary medical services.
The lawsuit asserts that Google Maps holds significant influence in Japan’s daily life and should be cognizant of the detrimental effects unfair reviews can have on medical practices.
While acknowledging that Google occasionally removes reviews based on its own guidelines, the plaintiffs criticize the lack of transparency in the removal process and allege that only a small fraction of unjust reviews are actually deleted.
In response, Google stated that it is actively working to mitigate inaccurate and misleading content on Google Maps through a combination of human moderation and automated processes, striving to safeguard the reputations of businesses on its platform.
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