Can a Business Block Someone on Facebook?

consumernews If you are a business owner or run a business page on Facebook, you probably know the scenario all too well: you have a user who is doing everything possible to embarrass, humiliate, and annoy your business on its Facebook page. Maybe it’s a disgruntled customer. Maybe it’s a competitor. It could even be friends or family of individuals who feel “wronged” by the business.

The reality, as every business owner knows, is that customers can sometimes be unreasonable, and no matter how hard you try to please a customer and make them happy, there are some customers who simply will carry grudges and try to retaliate against the business.

As much as Facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms for individuals and businesses to build their presence online, it has its limits and particularly for businesses. It is not a free-for-all. There are Facebook terms and policies to follow when using it, but also simple functional limitations when it comes to blocking users from a business page. One of the top questions we get from business owners on Facebook is can a business block someone on Facebook, specifically a customer or third party that is trying to portray the business in a very negative light on Facebook. Read on for some tips.

Using Facebook’s Features to Block Someone on Facebook

There are a few different methods of blocking someone on Facebook that is giving your business grief:

Removing a user from your page. This basically undoes them “liking” your page, but they can easily come back and like it to see your information in news feeds. This can be done through the settings menu and removing the specific user who liked your page.

Banning a user from your page. This bans that user from publishing any content onto your page, “like” anything on your page, or comment on your business page. This allows you to get rid of a nuisance user who may be posting ads or other annoying material on your page. This is found in the settings when on your business page or from the drop down menu when looking at the post or comment on your page.

Unfortunately, business pages are public pages, so even if you remove or ban a user from your page, so that they cannot like or post on your page, they can still view your business page. It is possible to place restrictions such as age or country so that possibly the person cannot see it based on being outside these restrictions but this is no real solution when it comes to a competitor trying to poach your customers or liked users.

The problem with these two methods is that user sometimes create aliases or they have their friends or family gang up on the business and held the business with hundreds and in some cases thousands of negative comments, reviews, or other negative actions. This can make life very difficult for the business, as it often takes years for business develop a good Facebook following with positive comments and reviews.

Getting Legal Help

If your business is relentlessly being targeted by a user you is, that simply will not stop, it may be time to get legal help involved. There are two stages in which a business can get legal help in dealing with a customer that they’re trying to block which is not getting the hint:

Cease and Desist Demand. One of the most powerful things you can do is have an attorney issue a formal written cease and desist demand to the perpetrator. These legal demands can be scary for a consumer to receive. A properly prepared cease-and-desist demand makes it clear, in no uncertain terms, that if the consumer does not stop what they’re doing, the business will take legal action against them to stop the harassment, stalking, threatening behavior, abuse, or other behavior.

Restraining Order. If the consumer will still not stop, even after cease-and-desist demand has been issued, the next step is to get a restraining order. Restraining order should not be filed in average cases. The consumer should be going above and beyond harassing the business owner or the business. For example, this can include issuing threats, sending appropriate messages, photos, or even coming to the business in person or a physical location to harass, stalk, bully, intimidate, or otherwise verbally abuse the business owner. Generally, an attorney will be able to tell you if the consumer’s behavior has crossed the line. It is rare for business owners to go this far, as most consumers often get the hint when a cease-and-desist demand is issued.

How Much Does it Cost to Get Legal Help?

FeesButton Many business owners who are trying to block a person on Facebook and not having success fear that it is too expensive to get an attorney to help them. This is not the case. We issue cease-and-desist demands often on a flat fee basis, and most individuals are surprised to know how affordable it can be. Axis regularly handles matters involving harassment, stalking, bullying, intimidation, and has represented a number of individuals and businesses address inappropriate conduct in a variety of ways over the years. Give us a call and tell us about your case, and we will often be able to give you a flat fee quote within a couple of minutes. Call us today for free, no risk, and confidential consultation and in as little as 10 to 15 minutes, you had could have a better overview of your rights.

AXIS Legal Counsel’s Business Practice provides legal advice to numerous small businesses with a variety of legal matters, including business formations, contracts, deals, and transactions, business administration, corporate governance, operations, risk management / insurance, labor/employment matters, intellectual property, healthcare, crisis management, directors/officers, private/data security, technology, statutory/legal compliance, and business litigation. AXIS represents businesses, corporations, LLCs, LLPS, partnerships, and startups in need of a corporate lawyer, for business legal matters as well as business litigation, such as disagreements, non-solicit agreements, non-competes, trade secrets, and other disputes with businesses. We are also experienced in providing assistance to business clients concerning business contracts, corporate formation matters, contracts and transactions, business litigation, business legal advice for Corporations, LLPs, LLCs, Partnerships, Small Business, Startups, and others involving corporate law.

If you are seeking a business lawyer, or for information on retaining AXIS Legal Counsel to represent your business in connection with any legal matter, contact [email protected] or call (213) 403-0130 for a confidential consultation. Axis’ managing attorney Rabeh M. A. Soofi is ranked as one of the “Top Women Lawyers of Southern California” by SuperLawyers Rising Stars, and is a Los Angeles Business Lawyer representing businesses and start-ups throughout Los Angeles and California.