Doctors Sue Google Over Malicious Reviews

Apr 19, 2024 | News On Japan

TOKYO - A group of 63 medical professionals has filed a lawsuit against Google, alleging the tech giant has failed to address malicious reviews on Google Maps.

Due to confidentiality obligations, the doctors find it difficult to provide detailed explanations or rebuttals, which they say leaves them feeling like defenseless punching bags.

On Google Maps, users can rate businesses with stars and leave reviews. However, some postings have been downright fraudulent or slanderous. A current move has been made against Google for not facilitating a human dialogue about these issues. The plaintiffs argue that despite Google's policy of prohibiting false or impersonating content, many harmful reviews remain unaddressed.

Among the complaints is a particularly harsh one from a dental clinic, criticized unfairly as "worse than garbage." Such feedback has caused considerable distress to the staff, who have not responded to avoid further confrontation.

The plaintiffs include a dentist who rejected unnecessary medication during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a negative review claiming they were refused treatment. They are seeking over 144 million yen in damages, asserting that anonymous postings allow one-sided attacks that are nearly impossible to counter legally.

Experts say that while the law provides measures against clear falsehoods or defamation, reviews that are subjective or express personal experiences are challenging to regulate. Thus, the current legal framework offers little recourse for those affected by such reviews.

Google has refrained from commenting on individual cases, maintaining its general stance on review policies. The case highlights the broader issues of digital platforms' responsibilities and the real-world impact of online content on professional reputations.

Source: TBS

Violent Winds Batter Okinawa as Typhoon No. 18 Moves Away

Typhoon No. 18 brought destructive winds to the Amami region and areas around Okinawa's main island, with a maximum instantaneous wind speed of 54.5 meters per second recorded on Tokunoshima in Kagoshima Prefecture and homes damaged and power outages reported as the storm passed through the region.

Mystery Deepens with 39 Kg Bread Trail Across Tottori

A series of mysterious illegal dumping incidents involving about 39 kilograms of sliced bread has been reported around Mount Daisen and other parts of Tottori Prefecture in August, with officials investigating whether the food may have been deliberately placed to attract wild animals.

Osaka Couple Donate 400 Million Yen for Giant Myaku-Myaku Statue at Expo Site

An 85-year-old couple have donated a combined 400 million yen to Osaka City with a request that the money be used to create a giant Myaku-Myaku statue about 20 meters tall at the former site of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, envisioning a landmark that could become a lasting symbol of the event and of renewed prosperity for Kansai and Japan.

Lawson to Cut Onigiri Prices by 10 Yen

Lawson plans to cut prices on its main line of onigiri rice balls by 10 yen from September 29 as falling rice prices begin to feed through to retail costs.

Taiji Boosts Security Against Anti-Whaling Activists

Police have established a temporary police post in the whaling town of Taiji, Wakayama Prefecture, ahead of the September 1 opening of the annual drive hunt for whales and dolphins.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Business NEWS

Nikkei Falls as Nvidia Caution Hits Chip Shares

Tokyo stocks fell on August 25, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 64,980.53, down 0.8%, as investors sold semiconductor and electronics shares ahead of Nvidia’s earnings while a weak yen, elevated bond yields and renewed U.S. pressure on Iran kept risk appetite subdued.

Japan's Traditional Public Baths Feel Financial Heat

Japan's traditional neighborhood public baths are struggling with rising fuel, labor and operating costs, but unlike most businesses they cannot freely raise prices because admission fees remain regulated under a postwar price-control law introduced in 1946.

Nikkei Falls as Rising Yields Hit AI and Chip Shares

Tokyo stocks fell on August 24, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 65,528.09, down 488.27 points, or 0.74%, as global bond-yield pressure and caution ahead of Nvidia’s earnings triggered selling in artificial intelligence and semiconductor-related shares, even as the broader TOPIX edged higher.

Suzuki Unveils Kei EV Prototype With 310-Kilometer Range

Suzuki has unveiled a prototype of its first kei-class electric vehicle, the e SKY, which is scheduled to go on sale during the current fiscal year with a driving range of 310 kilometers, among the longest offered by a domestically produced kei EV.

Okinawa Taxi Drivers Seek 60% Higher Pay

Following the fare revision, a labor union representing taxi drivers in the prefecture and other groups held a news conference calling for the proportion of operating revenue paid to drivers to be raised from its current level to at least 60%.

China's Rare-Earth Magnet Exports to Japan Halve in July

China's exports of rare-earth magnets to Japan fell by more than half in July from a year earlier, while shipments of tungsten carbide remained at zero for a sixth consecutive month, according to trade data released by Chinese customs authorities.

Japan Consumer Prices Rise 1.8% in July as Food Costs Climb

Japan's nationwide core consumer price index rose 1.8% in July from a year earlier, with the pace of inflation accelerating for a second consecutive month as higher food prices and a rebound in energy costs outweighed a sharp decline in rice prices.

Mitsubishi Electric to Acquire U.S. Software Firm for Record 220 Billion Yen

Mitsubishi Electric said on August 20 that it will acquire U.S.-based PCI Energy Solutions, a developer of software used to manage electricity trading and other energy operations, in a deal worth about 220 billion yen, the largest acquisition in the Japanese company's history.

< 2 3 4 5 >