Legal Question in Technology Law in Florida
Hello I left one negative google review for a local company I had a bad experience with. I used an alternative gmail account that doesn't have my real name or information on it. Out of no where I received an email from google. Google has received a subpoena for information related to your Google account. This email serves as notice to you that Google may produce information related to your Google account in response to this subpoena unless you email a file-stamped copy of a motion to quash or other type of formal objection to [email protected] by 10 a.m. Pacific Time on May 14, 2017. To make sure that we receive a copy of what you filed with the court, please attach it in reply to this email. Please also include in your reply our Google Internal Reference No. xx. Google, however, cannot give you legal advice about this matter or advise you on what to do here. If you have questions about the subpoena, you can contact an attorney or contact the party or the lawyer who served the subpoena on Google at:
Basically I'm worried that google might release my ip address and they then might be able to track me down through my internet carrier. I would assume subpoena them for it as well.
I live in Florida. I have deleted the review since I noticed that email. It was only one review and it was honest but I deleted anyways. I really don't want any trouble
1 Answer from Attorneys
You're right about what's likely to happen. But there may be something you can do about it.If you have been sued just for leaving a negative review, and if the suit was filed is in a state that has an anti-SLAPP statute, there may be lawyers willing to take your case.
SLAPP stands for strategic lawsuit against public participation. It refers to lawsuits that are designed to intimidate people who might otherwise use their First Amendment rights to say things the plaintiff doesn't want said. That strategy used to be very successful even though the lawsuits usually were meritless, since defendants typically couldn't afford to pay lawyers to defend them. Anti-SLAPP statutes provide a way to get such cases dismissed at an early stage, and typically make the defendant pay the plaintiff's legal bills. There are quite a few lawyers who would be happy to take a good anti-SLAPP case in order to collect fees that way, without requiring the defendant to pay anything.
Of course, this assumes you have actually been sued. It's possible that your information is being subpoenaed for some other reason. I don't have enough information to say one way or the other.
Time is not on your side, though. Your deadline is less than two weeks away, and the work you will need done before then will take time to prepare. You should start looking for a lawyer right away.
Good luck.
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