Around 60 Japanese doctors have filed a class-action lawsuit against Google Maps, accusing the tech giant of ignoring negative and sometimes defamatory reviews they receive.
The doctors are demanding compensation of 1.4 million yen (approximately $9,051) from the major US internet company, which they hold responsible for failing to take action to stop these comments.
They filed the lawsuit last Thursday, asserting that they are unable to respond to or refute the damaging reviews due to their commitment to patient privacy.
One doctor stated in a press release, “People who provide online reviews may express inaccurate thoughts without disclosing their identities, even if their reviews include nothing but false accusations or insults.”
One of the defense attorneys representing the plaintiffs mentioned that this case, filed in a Tokyo district court, will be the first class-action lawsuit in the country targeting a platform over negative online reviews.
The lawyer, Yuichi Nakazawa, told Agence France-Presse, “Despite the ease of posting these comments, it has become exceedingly difficult to delete them.”
He added, “This may lead doctors to hesitate in taking firm positions and refuse to subject patients to unnecessary tests or medications they request.”
Ultimately, this could harm society.”
The plaintiffs emphasized that the primary goal of many medical facilities is not to please patients, but to treat their illnesses from a professional perspective.
They continued, “Clinics that offer patients only superficial diagnoses and prescribe medication on demand do not have medical credibility, but they are highly appreciated by patients.”
Nakazawa further stated, “If nothing changes, doctors may hesitate to take firm positions and refuse to subject patients to unnecessary tests or medications they request.”
He added, “Ultimately, this could harm society.”
The plaintiffs asserted that Google removes specific reviews on maps based on its vague criteria.
Google told Agence France-Presse that it is working to “reduce inaccurate and misleading content on its maps.”
They continued, “By combining human operators and computers, we provide around-the-clock protection for the image of institutions and delete unfair reviews.”
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