Business requests removal of Google review if it does not suit them
The business engaged Google to request removal of my review I had posted with four photos .
Reason:
> "We received a complaint that your review is defamatory under German law. Your review is removed for now, because German courts have set a
low threshold for businesses to challenge reviews as defamatory. For example, businesses can simply claim that they cannot verify that you were a customer ...
"
My review:
Seafood platter appetizer is large but tasteless. A dip and seasoning of the batter may help. Lasagne does
not have multiple layers of meat and pasta but instead meatsauce on top only. The tomato sauce was not hot, only the bottom of the dish appeared hot on two orders. The taste though was ok. The bathroom needs some
maintenance.
Essen: 3
Service: 4
Ambiente: 3
1. Legally, this is not defamation by German law
2. My response to Google:
As to the matter.
I was a customer in 2025 with three other family members. The photos I had taken contained datestamps and Geolocation on my phone in the Google account. The bill was paid by a family member. As usual, I avoid taking pictures of people in my reviews to honor privacy - especially in the EU. So my question for the business owner is, how did I obtain such pictures on my phone other than being a customer? It seems suspicious that due to not being able to verify a customer, a business is allowed to interfere with subjective reviews that are not to their satisfaction. I can easily counter that this request is censorship of personal opinion - especially as it is legally not defamatory. It would be fair to tag a business for such questionable behavior - even if protected by German law.
That said, just to protect a business reputation - a removal request for defamation can be filed, is truly a very low bar and shows the integrity of such a business.
I refuse to provide the original photos as evidence as it seems that this is pointless being an unsubstantiated matter.