Competitors are posting fake negative reviews about my business online, what can I do?

Question

My business is receiving what appear to be fake or malicious negative reviews on Google/social media, possibly from a competitor, harming our reputation. I have been reading conflicting things online and I would like to understand what Indian law actually says about this, which Act and Section applies, what the realistic timelines and costs are, and what I should be doing right now to protect my position. If the matter can be resolved without litigation I would prefer that route, but I want to know what my rights are before I agree to anything or sign any document.

MyVakeel Legal Desk · Accepted Answer

Competitors are posting fake negative reviews about my business online, what can I do? is governed in India primarily by Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 – Section 356, Information Technology Act, 2000 – Section 66, Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and IT (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules, 2021. The short answer is set out below, followed by the practical steps most people in this situation need to take. Read it alongside the specific provisions named, because the exact relief available to you turns on the facts you can prove on paper.

Fake reviews that are demonstrably false (not genuine customer experiences) and damage your business reputation can amount to defamation under Section 356 BNS, entitling you to file both a criminal complaint and a civil suit for damages plus an injunction.

If the reviewer used a fake identity or bot accounts to post multiple reviews, this could also involve Section 66C (identity theft) and Section 66 (computer-related offence for automated/scripted posting) of the IT Act.

Google and most review platforms have policies against fake reviews and 'reviews not based on a genuine experience' — you can flag and request removal directly, providing evidence like lack of purchase/service record to support your claim.

Under Rule 3 of the IT Rules, 2021, you can also send a formal takedown request to the platform's Grievance Officer, and escalate to the Grievance Appellate Committee if the platform doesn't act despite clear evidence.

If you can identify the competitor behind fake reviews, this may also amount to unfair trade practice actionable under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and, in appropriate cases, trigger a passing-off/unfair competition claim.

What to do next: 1) Flag the fake reviews on the platform citing its policy against inauthentic reviews; 2) Gather evidence showing the reviewer has no actual transaction record with you; 3) Send a legal notice to the identified party and/or the platform's grievance officer; 4) File a civil suit for defamation/injunction if the reviews persist and cause serious harm.

If the other side has already issued a notice, filed a case or set a deadline, treat the matter as time-sensitive — most remedies under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 – Section 356 carry limitation periods, and a delay you cannot explain weakens an otherwise strong case. You can post the details on the MyVakeel forum for a practising advocate to review, or book a paid consultation with a Bar Council verified lawyer in this practice area.