Japanese Doctors Sue Google Over Negative Reviews on Google Maps

A group of 60 doctors in Japan has filed a class-action lawsuit against Google, seeking damages for unaddressed negative reviews that they claim harm their professional reputation.

• The lawsuit, filed in Tokyo District Court, seeks 1.4 million yen (approximately $9,000) in damages.
• Doctors argue they cannot counter defamatory reviews due to patient confidentiality, leaving their reputations vulnerable.
• Google asserts it is actively working to remove misleading reviews using a combination of human and technological efforts.
• This legal action marks the first class-action lawsuit in Japan targeting an online platform over negative reviews.
• The case highlights broader concerns about the impact of online reviews on professional services and the accountability of platforms hosting them.

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