When it comes to dealing with ORM, everyone always has questions; usually very good ones -- we have answers. That's why we've created a list of the most common things people ask about and made it available here. So you may be surprised you might find out what you're looking for without having to go very far. Feel free to browse below. These are just a small number of the ways we can help at HopLite when ORM problems strike.
Will the European "Right to Be Forgotten" Ever Come to the United States (or Other Jurisdictions Besides Europe)?
In our opinion, it is highly unlikely that the “Right to Be Forgotten” will ever come to the United States. Those who are unfamiliar with the term should check out our main article on the subject, here. The United States values “Freedom of Speech” very highly, it also views the way it should be applied very differently than other countries do. The US tends to apply the right in a very “absolute” sense, or technically “near absolute,” as there are a few small limits placed on it, such as yelling “Fire” in a crowded theater is not permitted for reasons of public safety. Many other countries, even America’s closest cultural relatives, such as the UK, also place high value on free speech, but feel there are just a few more circumstances where it should be limited; which is one reason why in Europe, the “Right to Be Forgotten” exists. Also, there are cultural differences between countries on what is “Freedom of Speech” and what is not (or in other words, what falls under that domain and what doesn’t). Whereas there may be something that could absolutely be considered "Freedom of Speech" in the United States, it may not be considered to be so in other countries, in most cases for reasons purely cultural and historical. Further, it is unlikely that the US would place restrictions on search engines in regards to posting things that may or may not harm private citizens because they are “outdated, irrelevant, or no longer relevant.” This isn’t necessarily something that the United States for cultural reasons feels it is its job to protect its citizens from, which is not necessarily so in other countries, as we have so far absolutely seen.
However, one must be careful, as at the time of this writing, there have been many American Supreme Court cases granting certain rights to citizens that ten years ago in the United States would have been thought unthinkable. Whether you agree with those court decisions or not, all people will agree that the fact they were handed down at all means there has been a dramatic shift in thinking over time in certain spheres – the same thing could happen many years from now in regards to the “Right to Be Forgotten”; we don’t know. Perhaps one day it would by some method come to American shores, but an observer is left to wait and see. Here at HopLite, we do not take a direct position on the “Right to Be Forgotten.”
As to the question of whether it will appear in other jurisdictions such Australia or Canada (perhaps), or other places, the considerations of whether that will happen or not are different than in the United States, but one must also wait and see. Those places are culturally closer to Europe as well to be sure (one couldn’t argue they were not), but we don’t know what direction it will go as the court decision in Europe granting the “Right to Be Forgotten” is somewhat new, and what direction it takes in Europe (for example, if the right is even expanded further or not), is also unknown.
However, if you don’t live in Europe, one should not despair. Here at HopLite, we’re experts at repressing any online search engine listings, for both businesses and individuals, that may be causing any problems. Internet-based solutions are extremely effective (higher than 98%) at dealing with any Online Reputation Management dilemmas, helping both businesses and individuals look their best online. Don’t wait, contact HopLite ORM today and find out what we can do for you!
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