How we removed defamatory porn links from Google
Imagine Googling your own name and finding it attached to graphic pornographic websites. That’s exactly what happened to one of our clients, a senior nurse from Greece living in the UK. She had never participated in or consented to such content but there her name was, linked to explicit videos and fake profiles.
The legal issue: name and image used on porn websites without consent
Understanding the law: from revenge porn to fake porn links
Removing search results with the right to be forgotten
Legal help when you get locked out of you Facebook account
The outcome and what this means for others
The legal issue: name and image used on porn websites without consent
In our client’s case, someone had created fake profiles on porn websites using her real name and social media photos. These images, while not explicit themselves, were placed next to graphic videos featuring others, creating a dangerous and defamatory association. Not only was this devastating to her reputation and mental health, but it also triggered harassment from strangers online, particularly through Facebook.
When she came to us, she was understandably overwhelmed, scared, and in urgent need of both legal and practical help This form of abuse, known as deliberate linking, is now a criminal offence in the UK. Thanks to updates in the Online Safety Act and the Criminal Justice Bill, it is illegal to falsely associate someone with explicit content, even if they are not depicted in it.
Understanding the law: from revenge porn to fake porn links
The UK’s revenge porn laws have changed. Where they once focused only on the sharing of real intimate images, they now also include deepfakes and doctored material. You no longer need to prove someone wanted to cause distress; linking someone to fake explicit content without consent is enough to bring legal action.
Removing search results with the right to be forgotten
Our client was terrified about potential employers or patients seeing these false links. We helped her submit a right to be forgotten request to Google, arguing that the links were misleading, inaccurate, and harmful. This is a GDPR-based tool that allows people to request that outdated or damaging links are removed from search engines.
Google accepted our submission and removed the content from its search results. Had that failed, we were prepared to send GDPR notices directly to the websites involved- a legal demand that can lead to High Court proceedings if ignored.
Legal help when you get locked out of you Facebook account
While trying to protect herself from further harassment, our client changed her Facebook name to a pseudonym and removed all identifiable contact info. This meant that when Facebook’s two-factor authentication kicked in, she was locked out of her Facebook account.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is designed to protect accounts by requiring a code sent to your phone or email, but if those details are no longer accessible, you can become permanently locked out. We reached out to Facebook and eventually navigated their complex verification process.
The mismatch between her real name and Facebook pseudonym was a challenge, but by carefully explaining her situation, we were able to restore her access.
The outcome and what this means for others
The damage done by false online associations can be just as severe as having real images shared. This case proves how vital it is to respond quickly and strategically. Between updated revenge porn laws and GDPR tools, there are now strong legal options available.
Lawyers’ thoughts on the case
This case is a stark reminder of how reputation can be attacked digitally without using real images. Our client was never in the videos, but the false association was enough to cause personal, professional, and emotional harm. The expanded legal definitions in the UK are a positive step, but enforcement still requires strategic legal action.
One challenge we often see, and which featured heavily in this case, is how separate internet legal issues can quickly become entangled. What began as a privacy and defamation issue escalated into an account recovery problem. The moment our client changed her Facebook details to protect her safety, she inadvertently triggered a technical block. This meant that while fighting one fire, she risked being cut off from a crucial communication platform.
With Google, the challenge was evidentiary, proving the association was damaging and untrue. Although the right to be forgotten is a powerful tool, it is not always straightforward. Search engines can reject removal requests if the argument isn’t robust enough or the evidence lacks detail.
Our experience allowed us to build a persuasive and detailed case that Google acted on promptly. Facebook, by contrast, presented a procedural labyrinth. Their systems are not built for nuanced, high-risk cases involving privacy protection and pseudonymous identity.
Automated forms, regional language barriers, and rigid verification protocols all had to be overcome. It was a slow process involving technical workaround, human engagement, and relentless follow-up.
This case underscores how interconnected digital harms are. A smear campaign can snowball into harassment, reputation loss, and digital isolation. That’s why our approach always includes a wide-angle view understanding not just the legal breach, but its technical, social, and emotional consequences.
At our firm, we combine legal knowledge with technical expertise to resolve cases like these. From delisting URLs to unblocking social accounts, our approach is thorough and client-focused. The internet may seem lawless, but your rights are protected and we’re here to uphold them.
