3 ms·
It would seem to me these types of hacks are very risky in light of the recent lawsuits involving bogus Yelp reviews. Specifically, Yelp was forced by the cour
by will_brown 12y ago
It would seem to me these types of hacks are very risky in light of the recent lawsuits involving bogus Yelp reviews.
Specifically, Yelp was forced by the courts to reveal the real identities behind bogus reviews, and further individuals have been held personally liable for defamation.
Though the Google Map hacks may not fall under a cause of action for defamation (thought it may), certainly I could see rather large judgments under a theory of tortious interference with business contracts/business relationships. These suits permit not just damages for economic loss, but also punitive damages.
- deleted 12y ago[deleted]
- hughdbrown 12y agoHow does the First Amendment apply to Yelp reviewers? Is Congress making laws that abridge the rights of free speech in Yelp reviews? On a separate point, I think the percentage of customers a corrupt business owner could defraud is pretty low. Happy customers may post reviews, but defrauded customers will go after a business like angry hornets. A small number of frauds will become a disproportionate number of negative reviews.
- will_brown 12y agoWith the comment deleted above, it is difficult to place the context of yours. However, the following is probably relevant/insightful either way: Judge William Petty wrote that the negative reviews in question were not protected by the First Amendment because "If the reviewer was never a customer of the business, then the review is not an opinion; instead, the review is based on a false statement of fact ... And 'there is no constitutional value in false statements of fact.'"