system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
CMV: Businesses do not have the right to manipulate online reviews

I once saw a therapist who had an extremely detrimental effect on my mental health. I decided to leave a brief online review on Google Business about my experiences with the therapist. "Mysteriously", the honest review somehow got deleted, restoring her to a five-star rating... thanks to a flawless review authored by her co-worker.

I reposted my review again, and she had the new review deleted. I decided to leave detailed reviews on various health care provider review sites. In response, she essentially threatened that I did not remove the reviews, or if I were to ever post another negative review about her in the future, she would sue me.

We undeniably live in the age of the internet. Customers look to online reviews before spending money. Therapy is expensive, and a huge time/emotional commitment, so if my therapist was able to get away with editing her online reviews, I can imagine that other companies, especially those with more money than my therapist who charge less for their services/products, can get away with this kind of manipulation as well.

I believe that for any business, online review manipulation is dishonest, highly unethical, and, in the United States, in violation with the First Amendment. Thus, companies do not have the right to edit their reviews and/or otherwise silence those that speak out against their services.

**EDIT:** As some posters have rightfully brought to my attention, sometimes companies need to remove reviews that consist of spam, illegal content, etc. I read over Google's guidelines for acceptable reviews, as far as I can tell, my reviews passed them. I don't know how my reviews got deleted, but I have seen third-party companies online that can help manipulate online reviews for a fee. Some would argue that businesses should be able to manipulate their reviews if they pay for it and can get someone else to do it. However, I believe that no business has the right to remove content that is merely unflattering and not objectively bad.
gpt
>I believe that for any business, online review manipulation is dishonest, highly unethical

The flip side is highly unethical too though. The general public manipulates reviews all the time. Usually this is for product releases and not services, but the point stands. Businesses have a right to protect themselves from undue bad press. Especially when the product or service is inherently political. What's more you are making a vendetta out of this negative review. It's clearly more than a *just* a review for you.

>in violation with the First Amendment.

It is in no way a violation of the first amendment to control the release of information about your business in a way that is currently legal. The first amendment protects citizens from the government. Not citizens from private businesses.


The threat of the lawsuit is foolish from her. Keep doing what you want. If she sues you she'll lose, because she would't be able to substantiate damages and you are just commenting about your honest experience.