TOKYO (AFP) – Around 60 doctors in Japan have accused Google Maps of ignoring vitriolic reviews of their clinics in a class-action lawsuit touted as the first of its kind.
The medics are seeking JPY1.4 million (USD9,000) in total damages from Google in a bid to hold the United States (US) tech titan accountable for inaction over the reviews.
They sued the company on Thursday, saying they are powerless to reply to, or refute, reputation-damaging reviews because of their obligation to patient confidentiality.
“People who post online can say anything anonymously, even if it’s nothing but slander or verbal abuse”, one of the participating doctors told reporters.
“It’s like I’m a punching bag,“ he said under anonymity.
The case at Tokyo District Court is believed to be the first class-action lawsuit in Japan to target a platform over negative online reviews, a lawyer for the plaintiffs said.
“Despite the ease with which they are posted, it has become extremely difficult to get the reviews taken down,” lawyer Yuichi Nakazawa told AFP.
