Hate Speech, Shitstorm and DeepFakes: Attorney for Influencer in Net Attacks
You don’t have to accept insults, false claims and manipulated images. We ensure that content disappears and takes action against those responsible.
- Fast deletion via DSA procedure and cease-and-desist letter
- Information procedure against anonymous accounts
- Omission, counter-statement and monetary compensation
If criticism becomes a violation of law
Anyone who is publicly visible has to endure criticism. Statements of opinion are widely protected by Art. 5 of the Basic Law, even if they are exaggerated or polemical. However, the limit is reached in abusive criticism, formal insults, untrue factual claims, threats and the spread of manipulated images. Influencers in particular are affected above-averagely by campaigns, fake accounts and AI-generated deepfakes.
Fast and structured action is important: secure evidence, hold platforms accountable and take action against the authors in civil and, if applicable, criminal law. We accompany you and also keep an eye on the public impact, because not every legally possible step is communicatively clever.
Typical situations in which we help
- In the comments or in Reaction videos, untrue claims about them are spread.
- An anonymous account insults or threatens you continuously.
- Deepfakes or manipulated images of them are circulating, such as sexualized forgeries.
- Fake profiles pretend to be cheating and cheat on their followers.
- Another creator “blazes” over them and crosses the border to abusive criticism.
- You are affected by a shitstorm and want to know what you can do about it.
Legal basis at a glance
Opinion or factual claim?
Opinions are largely protected. Untrue factual claims, on the other hand, are not. The decisive factor is whether a statement is accessible to the proof. Anyone who claims that an influencer has bought followers sets up a fact and must be able to prove it in the dispute.
Obligations of the platforms according to the DSA
The Digital Services Act (VO (EU) 2022/2065) obliges platforms to provide reporting channels for illegal content (Art. 16 DSA), to process reports quickly and to justify decisions. A well-founded report with reference to the violated regulations leads to deletion much more frequently than the standard report via the app.
Information about anonymous users
A court order can be applied for against anonymous accounts via § 21 TDDDG, which obliges the platform to release inventory data if the content fulfills certain criminal offenses, such as insults or threats. At the same time, a criminal complaint can be filed.
Claims against responsible
There are claims for injunctive relief, revocation, counter-statement and, in the case of serious injuries, for monetary compensation against authors and distributors. With deepfakes, the right to one’s own image, penal provisions such as § 201a StGB and the transparency obligations of the AI regulation are added.
Practical examples: typical scenarios
We regularly meet the following scenarios in the consultation. They are anonymized and simplified and show how such cases are typically classified. They do not describe any specific mandates and do not promise a specific result.
Claim of purchased followers
Situation: A watchblog account claims in several videos that a creator has bought followers and likes. Cooperation partners jump off.
Legal assessment: It is a factual claim that concerns the business reputation. If the spreader cannot prove it, there are claims for injunctive relief and, under certain circumstances, claims for damages.
Our approach: We analyze the creator’s statistics, warn the distributor and, if necessary, apply for an injunction.
Sexualized Deepfake
Situation: AI-generated nude pictures of an influencer are circulating on a platform.
Legal assessment: This is a serious encroachment on personal rights and is regularly punishable. Platforms must quickly remove such content after notification.
Our approach: We arrange for prior deletions on all known platforms, file a criminal complaint and prosecution and monetary compensation against those responsible.
Fake profile with competition
Situation: An account with the name and images of a creator prompts followers to pay fees for an alleged sweepstakes.
Legal assessment: In addition to violating the name and image rights, the followers are at the expense of fraud. The platform must lock the profile on message.
Our approach: We report the profile with proof of identity, inform the community with a legally secure cease-and-desist letter and file a criminal complaint.
That’s how we go
- 1
Initial assessment
You briefly describe the facts to us and send documents such as a contract, cease-and-desist letter or screenshots. We will tell you promptly where you stand and what the next steps will cost.
- 2
Secure evidence and deadlines
We document posts, stories and chat history in court and record all deadlines. Content disappears quickly, especially with social media.
- 3
Set strategy
Together we decide whether negotiation, defense, cease-and-desist letter or contract drafting is the right way. It is always about your reach and your business relationships.
- 4
Implement and enforce
We negotiate, formulate, answer and, if necessary, go to court, also in an urgent procedure. You will regularly be informed of what is happening.
Regarding the costs: Before every step we tell you what it costs. Depending on the case, we charge a flat-rate fee or by hourly rate according to the Lawyers’ Remuneration Act (RVG). If the opponent is obliged to reimburse, for example in the case of a justified cease-and-desist letter, we will claim these costs for you. More on this on our page Fee.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Reject publicly and make yourself vulnerable.
- Delete insulting comments without securing them first.
- Only use the standard message from the app instead of a justified DSA message.
- Waiting too long so that the urgent need for an injunction is no longer necessary.
Frequently a question about hate speech and deepfakes
Can I find out who is behind an anonymous account?
Partially. Inventory data can be determined via a judicial information procedure according to § 21 TDDDG and criminal proceedings if certain criminal offenses exist.
How fast does a platform have to react to?
The DSA requires rapid processing. With obviously illegal content, we often achieve deletion within a few days.
Is a criminal complaint worth it?
In the case of threats, insults and deepfakes, usually yes. It can be reimbursed in parallel to civil law steps.
Deepening: Further information
Whether selfie, story or brand cooperation – as soon as people are recognizable on pictures, videos or sound recordings Personal rights. As an influencer:in or trademark, you must ensure that any publication is legally permissible – otherwise there is a risk of cease-and-desist letters or claims for damages.
Right to your own image
Whoever is pictured has a Right to informational self-determination. We check whether the consent is available and what content may be published or shared – especially for children, escorts or guests at events.
Influencer with own reach
As a public person, you are affected yourself: we will help if Unauthorized images or videos be distributed by them – for example by paparazzi, media or platform users. We enforce omissions, counter-statements or deletions.
Secure personal rights now!
Protection against shitstorms & reputation damage
Hate Speech, False Claims or DeepFakes can not only hurt but also illegal be We check content, prepare legal opinions and enforce your personal rights – also against platforms and operators.
Consent to brand and campaign content
If agencies or companies work with influencers or models, Clear regulations for image use indispensable. We design and verify consents, model releases and contractual regulations to protect everyone involved.
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