How to Remove Content From CheaterLand.com

The Basics: What is CheaterLand.com?

CheaterLand.com is a website and online forum for malicious and aggrieved former lovers, ex-spouses, and other users to report cheaters and post about persons who have “done them wrong.” Users are encouraged to report (1) cheaters, and (2) liars, labelling themselves as a forum for closure, transparency, and justice. On top of poor grammar, and a haphazard website layout, CheaterLand.com hosts a forum for users to swap stories of infidelity and deceit, imploring users to “Report a Cheater” and upload supporting photos.

Most “report-a-cheater” websites start out with good intentions, to act as a transparent platform warning of dangers associated with certain persons. However, through anonymity, a supportive community quickly sours, and becomes a collective of aggrieved villagers wielding verbal torches and screaming for punishment of the accused through libel and defamatory posts.

In reality, CheaterLand.com is nothing more than a lawless, toxic, platform for users to post libelous comments and drag innocent person’s names through the mud. Unfortunately, defamatory posts on sites like CheaterLand and CheatersAndBastards.com among other cheater-reporting websites can significantly tarnish and damage your reputation, sometimes irreparably. With online defamation, time is of the essence, so it’s important to act swiftly. Contact the Minc Law team by calling (216) 373-7706, or by filling out our online contact form.

Defamation Law Tip: The legal principle of “Defamation Per Se” classifies four types of false statements as so inherently defamatory, and damaging, that plaintiffs need not be required to prove damages. Such statements include the imputation a plaintiff (i) is involved in, or has engaged in criminal activity, (ii) possesses a “loathsome disease,” such as an STD or leprosy, (iii) is unchaste or has engaged in sexual misconduct, or (iv) has acted improperly acted in the course of conduct of their business, trade, or profession.

Defamatory Content and Your Reputation

Defamatory online posts and accusations stand to not only harm and ruin your personal reputation, but your professional one. Below is a chart of just some of the potential consequences of having your name and reputation defamed online.

Defamation Removal Tip: If you’ve deemed the online defamation to be relatively minor, you may be able to avoid legal action and take proactive steps online to bury the content, ensuring it doesn’t appear on the first page of Google or other search engines. To start, choose a website or social media site you use frequently, set the privacy settings to public, and simply post, comment, and interact with others online.

Cheater reporting websites take the form as one of the most toxic forms of defamation, as it’s usually committed by someone who has, or had, a personal relationship with you. Now, instead of vague, inaccurate, and false statements made from afar, your name, personal details, and important identifying information is broadcasted to the world. One look at CheaterLand.com’s “recent comments” reveals invasive listings of victim financial and personal information, including their date of birth, address, and physical appearance.

If you are a victim of online attacks and accusations on CheaterLand.com, reach out to Minc Law. The attorneys at Minc Law want to fight for your reputation, and will work to permanently remove all malicious and defamatory online content. To schedule a free confidential consultation with an intake specialist, call us today at (216) 373-7706, or schedule a meeting online.

Defamation Law Tip: Defamation is like fire, and should be put out before it spreads and evolves into an uncontrollable force. Google Alerts is a free service to monitor keywords and phrases, allowing for prompt notification anytime your name is mentioned online.

Four Key Issues Affecting CheaterLand.com’s Trustworthiness

• Registration and poster anonymity: One of the most serious issues plaguing CheaterLand.com, and other user-generated review and cheater-reporting sites, is the lack of verifiable registration mechanisms, allowing anyone to sign up and post. CheaterLand.com requires nothing more than a “title” and an email address, creating a likelihood of users hiding behind a fake, throwaway email. Additionally, Internet anonymity creates an increase sense of invincibility in users, who recognize the extensive hoops a victim has to jump through just to locate them. Users who are required to sign up with an identifying social media account are less likely to post malicious reviews and content.

• Unverifiable information: User-generated content platforms are protected under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA), addressed in greater detail below, and thus, not vetted or regulated by owners or moderators. Posters are merely provided loose and ineffective posting guidelines and regulations, allowing them to post defamatory and false content as they please.

• Post removal affiliate links: CheaterLand.com’s “Contact Us” page provides links to “independent services” for online content removal. It’s not unheard of for online user-generated content platforms to have a kickback program associated, allowing them to profit off of toxic posts. A relationship with affiliates and affiliate links should be disclosed, as referring such removal websites without mentioning any paid connection is highly unethical, and even potentially illegal according to the FTC.

• Retaliation: If it wasn’t already apparent CheaterLand.com is an unprofessional, illegitimate platform for hate and toxicity, a further look at their “Contact Us” page will affirm it. Their page reads, “If you threaten us or our service providers, the post will remain on the site for eternity, no matter what…In other words, your threats will cause your name to appear in another site, it’s what some call backfire. Don’t be stupid, you won’t scare us.” Not only does CheaterLand.com host a platform for others to post malicious and false content about innocent persons, they retaliate when a victim tries to dispute or question posts.

Ohio Defamation Law Fact: Before bringing a defamation claim, it’s first important to understand your state’s specific statute of limitations time-frames. In Ohio, an action for libel and slander must be brought within one year after the cause of action accrued, or the time when the plaintiff first discovers the injury.

Who Can I Hold Liable for Defamatory Posts on CheaterLand.com?

Unfortunately, cheater reporting sites are not illegal. In fact, they are protected under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA), a landmark piece of Internet legislation providing immunity from liability for interactive computer service platforms who publish information posted by third-parties.

Video: What is Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act?

Watch

Section 230 imposes a three-prong test to determine whether a website qualifies for CDA immunity. An interactive computer service provider will not be held liable when:

• The defendant is a provider or user of an interactive computer service,
• The cause of action against the defendant, treats them as the “publisher or speaker” of the malicious content, and
• The defendant is not the provider of the information posted on the website, and the information is provided by a third-party.

Unlike revenge porn, which is illegal in most U.S. states, user-generated content platforms aren’t illegal, as they don’t actually produce the original content or product, they merely facilitate its posting. Congress has even referred to such platforms as a forum for true diversity and cultural development. This begs the question, at what point do user-generated platforms cross the threshold from constructiveness, transparency, and honest dissemination of information, to safe-havens for posting of illegal and harmful content?

Defamation Removal Fact: At the federal level, there are no criminal defamation laws in the U.S., as it was declared “unconstitutionally vague” in 1966, and historically, has not been enforced. However, as of 2005, twenty-four states and the U.S. Virgin Islands have criminal defamation laws and provisions.

So, who can I hold liable?

When encountering defamatory content online, you will likely fail if you try and hold the platform or website liable. Due to its seemingly blanket protection for internet service providers, Section 230 has been a topic of controversy, and has been called “the greatest threat to a person’s reputation and online privacy.” Coupled with a longstanding reinforcement of immunity by the courts, there’s only one real option to hold someone liable for false online content: locate the poster and hold them liable.

The immunities granted to user-generated content platforms under the CDA, do not extend to individual posters of defamatory content. However, locating the offending individual can be a tedious and complicated process, therefore it’s highly recommended you reach out to an experienced defamation removal attorney with proven success.

If locating a malicious poster seems overwhelming, there may be another option. The CDA has several exceptions, most notable, an intellectual property infringement exception, which allows copyrighted content to be removed via DMCA take-down. CheaterLand.com allows users to post photos, and it’s highly likely the users posting such photos do not have a copyright in the photo. The Minc Law team will explore all options to remove offensive content, hold the poster accountable, and restore your reputation.

Ohio Defamation Tip: Although it may seem unfair and malicious, under Ohio law, newspapers and television stations are allowed to publish arrest, warrant, and indictment reports. Additionally, they may report on anything that is revealed and made available to the general public in court.

Reach Out to the Defamation Removal Lawyers of Minc Law to Remove Malicious Online Content

If CheaterLand.com contains false and offensive content you would like removed immediately, the internet defamation lawyers of Minc, LLC will work with you, and the offending site, to permanently remove it. At Minc, LLC, we work directly with website administrators, content managers, and third-party arbitrators to reach a fast and effective removal resolution.

Malicious posters hide behind a cloak of Internet invincibility, but often quake and remove malicious content when confronted directly. At Minc, LLC, we have uncovered countless posters who thought their anonymity was safe, and held them liable. Let us fight for you.

Defamation Law Tip: If you are a victim of online defamation, it’s important for you to document and preserve everything. From blog posts to photos, make sure to screenshot and print all malicious online content. Additionally, having an independent third-party screenshot and document the evidence is an effective way to avoid accusations of tampering with it.

When working with the defamation removal attorneys of Minc, LLC, here’s what you can expect:

• Websites Respond to Us: At Minc, LLC, we know who to contact and how to contact them, allowing us to get fast and permanent results.
• You Will Be Treated with Courtesy and Respect: We understand the situation can be overwhelming and tense, but your goals are our goals. All of our initial intake specialist consultations are confidential and free, and we are always on your side.
• We Will Work With You: After commencing with the takedown process, we will stay in constant contact with you concerning the details of your case via phone, text, email, or whichever medium is most convenient for you.

If you are the victim of malicious online defamation and false accusations, the Internet Defamation Removal Lawyers of Minc, LLC will fight to remove your name and information from CheaterLand.com. Call us at (216) 373-7706 to discuss your removal options and goals, or schedule a meeting online today by filling out our online contact form.

★★★★★

“Melanie was absolutely fantastic. Six years ago, someone wrote something terrible about me online and it followed me wherever I went! Jobs, relationships, etc. I finally got in touch with Minc, and Melanie was so courteous, professional, and diligent about getting the post removed. Thank God for Minc Law because I’m getting married next year, and I finally feel comfortable using my full name on my wedding announcements! Thank you, Minc!!!”

HCP, September 28, 2020