Defamed by association: how we helped clear our client’s name from a false narrative on Google
In some political activism, when one person is targeted, the perpetrators also target people connected to them in an effort to isolate, harm or discredit them. So what can you do if you are defamed by association?
What to do if you are falsely linked to a criminal offence
Imagine having your name publicly linked to a serious criminal offence you had no part in. For Jordan Ellis, a language teacher from the south coast of England, this nightmare became a reality when his name began appearing in search results alongside a Facebook post accusing him of defending a sex offender and holding extreme political views.
The post was not about him. It was meant to expose another individual’s misconduct. But through implication, vague references, and sheer malice, Jordan’s name became entangled in the story. This case study illustrates the dangers of being defamed by association and how we successfully helped Jordan reclaim control over his online reputation through strategic legal action and a right to be forgotten application to Google.
Defamation by association: when Google search results show false links to criminal activity
The post in question was published by a politically motivated activist group several years ago. Its purpose was to expose an individual let’s call him Dean who had been convicted of serious offences.
At one time, Jordan had loosely known Dean, who was active under a different name and whose criminal past was unknown to Jordan or others in the same activist circles. Once Dean’s history came to light, Jordan immediately disassociated himself and made others aware of the situation.
Rather than commend this response, the author of the Facebook post, someone with past grievances against Jordan, used the opportunity for revenge. Jordan’s name was mentioned repeatedly and the post falsely suggested he had supported Dean’s actions, portraying him as a radical and dangerous figure.
In doing so, it blurred the line between genuine activism and character assassination. This is a classic case of defamation by association. Jordan had no involvement in any wrongdoing, but the mere fact that he had once known Dean was enough for his name to be dragged through the mud.
How to remove false criminal associations from search results
Jordan first noticed something was wrong when he began receiving strange messages online. Then came the questions in job interviews, the occasional rejection without explanation, and the growing sense that something was undermining his future.
When he searched his name on Google, the problem became clear. The Facebook post hosted publicly and riddled with false allegations was one of the top search results. His name was featured prominently, making it easy for anyone to associate him with the shocking claims made in the article.
The accusations were not just hurtful; they were professionally damaging. Jordan worked in education, a field where trust and integrity are crucial. The implication that he had ever supported a criminal, or held extreme political beliefs, could ruin his career. Worse still, Jordan had no criminal record, no involvement in any political group, and had never endorsed the actions described in the post.
How to use the right to be forgotten to remove defamatory content from Google
We advised Jordan that the publication was not only defamatory, but also a breach of data protection laws. The post made excessive and misleading use of his personal data, linking him to events he had no control over and presenting a false picture of who he was.
Under Article 17 of the UK GDPR commonly known as the “right to be forgotten” individuals have the right to request the removal of personal data from search engines when it is inaccurate, irrelevant, or excessive. The law recognises that people can change, or be misrepresented, and that outdated or damaging data should not follow someone forever.
We prepared a right to be forgotten application to Google, carefully detailing the inaccuracies in the post, the lack of public interest in retaining the link, and the impact it was having on Jordan’s private and professional life. Google responded positively, agreeing to delist the link from search results associated with Jordan’s name.
This was a turning point. With the link removed, the post no longer appeared in search results, and Jordan could finally move forward without being haunted by misleading content from the past.
Why defamation by association is so dangerous
Defamation by association is a uniquely harmful form of reputational attack. It’s subtle, insidious, and often driven by personal motives. A person doesn’t need to do anything wrong, merely knowing the wrong person or being present at the wrong time is enough for others to paint them with the same brush.
This case showed how quickly a false narrative can take hold. It also revealed how important it is to challenge those narratives legally, especially when platforms and algorithms fail to make the distinction between truth and revenge.
Importantly, this wasn’t a case of a public figure being scrutinised for past behaviour. He didn’t write blogs, stand for office, or publish political commentary. The notion that he deserved to have his name permanently tied to a criminal case he had nothing to do with was both unjust and unlawful.
Lawyers’ thoughts on the case
From a legal perspective, what made this case striking was the thin line between political activism and character assassination. The author of the post used the language of accountability to wage a personal vendetta. Unfortunately, the internet doesn’t come with disclaimers, and readers are rarely aware of personal motives behind public content.
The damage done to Jordan’s life by this single post was profound. But it also showed the power of legal rights like the GDPR and the right to be forgotten. These tools exist for a reason: to protect individuals from harm caused by misinformation, outdated content, and revenge narratives. Jordan's case is a reminder that you don’t need to be guilty of anything to be publicly shamed online. If it happens to you, there are legal ways to fight back