How to Remove Information from Thedirty.com

4 min read
Sep 5, 2021 3:15:51 PM

Managing your reputation was easier before thedirty.com. This was when the internet and social media weren't as widespread as today. It was a time when only celebrities had reason to worry about their gossip appearing in the tabloids.

Today, there are online tabloids, and virtually everybody is a gossip columnist, and everyone, including you, is fair game. The internet has increased the circulation of these tabloids exponentially when a good reputation has gained significant importance for social and professional development.

What is Thedirty.com?

It is a website that was started in 2007 by Nik Richie. Nik Richie and his company don't write gossip on the tabloid; third parties do it. This detail is essential because it protects the company from liability based on what other people post.

Thedirty.com has recently been central to some of the most significant online exposes. Some of these include the expose of Congressman Antony Weiner's sexting and explicit photos scandal. The story of Ashton Kutcher cheating on Demi Moore also first broke on Thedirty.com, among other stories.

These stories involving celebrities were authentic and had far-reaching consequences, but Thedirty.com doesn't require the poster to verify their claims before posting. Therefore, there is no guarantee that someone can only post that you are guilty; they could be malicious.

The website gives the following disclaimer.

“The published content contains rumors, speculation, assumptions, opinions, and factual information. Postings may contain erroneous or inaccurate information. All images are credited to their original location. The owner of this site does not ensure the accuracy of any content presented on TheDirty.com.”

Can You Sue Someone For Posting You on TheDirty.com?

The question of its legality is essential because some of the information on the website may be defamatory. This forum is legal because it is public, and the Communications Decency Act protects it. Users and no company employees make the posts, and the constitution protects them from exercising their freedom of speech.

The same principle governs posts on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. Whatever a person calls you on their posts is usually their opinion of you, which can't be proven either true or false under the law. This doesn't make it any less damaging and needs to be removed.

Why is it Difficult to Remove Content from TheDirty.com?

Removing content from TheDirty.com is a challenging feat. The site has faced legal challenges over the years, with some claiming it enables cyberbullying and defamation. However, TheDirty.com often relies on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which protects online platforms from liability for user-generated content.

The law shields websites hosting content created by third parties, placing the responsibility on the users who post the content rather than the platform itself. This legal framework makes it challenging for individuals to hold TheDirty.com accountable for the harm caused by defamatory posts.

How to Remove Content from TheDirty.com

The above legal position makes it difficult for anyone other than the poster to remove posts from TheDirty.com, but you can try the following approaches.

1. Report Copyright Violation

These posts usually come with the subject's photograph attached. Your likeness is your property unless you authorize its use, and you can ask to have it pulled down. The accompanying caption will remain in place even when the picture is pulled down.

2. Obtain a Court Order

You can compel TheDirty.com to reveal the user's identity and take down posts if the posts are defamatory. A post can only be ruled defamatory if you prove it to lie. This may be a long process as it requires you to win a court case first.

What Happened to TheDirty.com? Was Their Website Shut Down?

The fate of TheDirty.com remains murky, and the information is somewhat contradictory. While it's true that the website is not readily accessible through Google search results and the direct URL as of today, it's not entirely accurate to say it's completely shut down. Here's what we know:

De-indexed from Google: The website has been de-indexed from Google search results, meaning it no longer appears in search queries. This could be due to various reasons, including:

  • Violations of Google's policies: TheDirty.com had a history of hosting content that violated Google's policies, such as hate speech, harassment, and privacy violations. Repeated violations could lead to de-indexing.
  • Manual delisting: Google might have removed the website from its search results based on user complaints or internal investigations.
  • Algorithmic changes: Google's search algorithms constantly evolve, and TheDirty.com's content might no longer be considered relevant or valuable enough to be included in search results.

Future of TheDirty.com:

It's still being determined whether TheDirty.com will return online or remain deindexed. Here are some possibilities:

  • Temporary deindexing: The website may be temporarily deindexed for violating a specific policy and could be reinstated if they address the issue.
  • Permanent deindexing: If Google determines that the website consistently violates its policies or harms users, it may be permanently deindexed.
  • Shifting platform: The site owners might move to a different platform or hosting service if they face difficulties with Google.

It's important to note that no official confirmation of these possibilities exists. The exact reason for TheDirty.com's disappearance remains unclear.

Contact NewReputation for Expert Online Reputation Management

If you find yourself entangled in the web of TheDirty.com and are grappling with the repercussions of damaging content, seeking professional help is paramount. NewReputation specializes in online reputation management, offering expertise in navigating the intricacies of content removal and reputation repair.

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