In the digital age, reputation is not built in a linear way but cumulatively: every news article, comment or review remains accessible and can resurface at any time. An unfortunate post, an old news item reappearing in an online archive or a negative review on a ratings platform may be enough to undermine the standing of a person or company, even years after the events. In this environment, online reputation becomes a fragile asset, but one of enormous strategic value.
At Audens, we help clients manage their digital reputation using the legal tools available to protect their image online. Our work ranges from the exercise of data protection rights to actions relating to defamation or unfair competition, including specific mechanisms for acting against platforms and digital services where the dissemination or continued availability of content gives rise to reputational harm. All of this is carried out in coordination with each client’s communication and marketing strategy, ensuring a response that is both consistent and effective.
Right to be forgotten
We assist in removing inappropriate, inaccurate, excessive, outdated or irrelevant content from search engines and social networks when it negatively affects the reputation of an individual or company.
Negative reviews
We act against false or malicious online reviews (often posted by former employees or competitors) and help draft swift, effective responses to protect brand credibility.
Reputation crises
We help clients respond to smear campaigns or attacks on social media. We prioritise proportionate, effective solutions focused on containing the damage and preserving our clients' reputation.
Identity impersonation
We defend clients against practices that seek to exploit their digital identity, including fake social media profiles, look-alike websites or advertising tactics designed to divert traffic unfairly.
Success stories
We represented an individual affected by press reports relating to criminal proceedings in which he was ultimately acquitted. We succeeded in having major search engines de-index the content and persuaded several media outlets to replace his full name with initials in their online archives, significantly reducing the negative impact of these publications.
We advised a professional firm that suffered a reputational attack involving the mass posting of fake negative reviews on a well-known platform. Acting quickly, we combined formal notices with direct reports to the platform. Within 48 hours, all reviews were removed and the company's rating returned to normal.
Together with the communications team of a financial institution, we designed a coordinated strategy to counter numerous negative search results. We combined the generation of positive content with legal action against harmful publications. Within a few months, search results began reflecting a more balanced and positive image of the institution.
We assisted a travel agency that had fallen victim to a former employee who retained the passwords to its social media profiles and used them to publish defamatory content targeting the company and one of its directors. After intervening, we restored access to the accounts and safeguarded both the company's corporate image and the director's personal reputation.
