French Health Professionals Demand Google Remove Online Reviews Amid Defamation Concerns
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A growing chorus of medical and dental professionals in France are calling for the removal of Google reviews, citing concerns over potentially defamatory and harmful content that lacks a right of reply. The escalating issue highlights the challenges of online reputation management in the age of instant feedback and the delicate balance between patient expression and professional integrity.
The National Council of Dental Surgeons (ONCD) first raised the alarm in a letter sent in September-October, asserting that Google opinions are often “dubious, sometimes defamatory and violent,” ultimately causing more harm than good. “They can also, of course, individually stigmatize such or such a practitioner without any possibility of the right of response existing and without Google accepts to remove them,” the ONCD stated.
Rising Aggression Online
This sentiment is echoed by the National Council of the Order of Doctors, which has observed a significant increase in online aggressions directed at physicians via Google’s review platform. While specific figures are not yet available, the council anticipates releasing data in its 2025 safety report. In the interim, the order is actively collaborating with the Ministry of Health to address the problem.
According to Dr. Jean-Jacques Avrane, coordinator of the observatory for the security of doctors at the National Council, physicians are legally constrained from responding to reviews due to medical confidentiality concerns. “The doctor is subject to medical confidentiality, he must especially not respond to the opinions otherwise he risks being wrong. On the other hand, he can file a complaint,” Dr. Avrane advised.
Calls for Complete Deletion
The ONCD is advocating for the “pure and simple deletion” of all Google reviews pertaining to healthcare professionals and has formally requested support from the Ministry of Health. This approach isn’t unprecedented; the order points to a recent decision by Google to systematically remove reviews from pages associated with general education establishments at the request of the Ministry of National Education. This action, taken since the end of April, aimed to “protect the institution and staff [from] opinions that could serve as a forum… without the possibility of contradictory or response.” The ONCD argues that health professionals face a comparable need for protection.
Government Support Emerging
The ONCD received a favorable opinion from the General Directorate of the Care Offer (DGOS) regarding this request during its June 2025 session, signaling potential government backing for the initiative.
The debate underscores the broader challenges of managing online reputations in a digital landscape where unchecked opinions can have significant real-world consequences. As the French medical community continues to push for change, the outcome could set a precedent for how online platforms address concerns about defamation and professional integrity in other countries.
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