Doctolib: Company Demands Cessation of Criticism

German company Doctolib is once again facing criticism. According to a recent expert opinion by data protection specialist Thilo Weichert, Doctolib is urging other companies not to refer to critical Doctolib assessments by the Datenschutzexpertise network. Those who continue to reference these assessments despite submitting a cease and desist declaration will be required to pay damages of €50,000 plus legal fees of approximately €2,700.

Thilo Weichert’s expert opinion raises serious allegations against Doctolib. It states that not a single fact presented in the assessments is refuted in the entire cease and desist letter. The letter merely disputes the legal evaluations of the network without providing a reasoned rebuttal.

Doctolib advertises that, through the combination of a service for 340,000 doctors and therapists as well as the operation of its own web portal, it has allegedly already collected health data of 80 million patients. In several expert opinions, Weichert accuses the company of engaging in illegal activities and compelling healthcare facilities to disregard data protection. This has the consequence of undermining the confidentiality between healthcare professionals and patients, as well as weakening patient confidentiality.

The demand by Doctolib not to refer to the critical assessments is seen by data protection experts as a restriction on freedom of speech and an attempt to suppress criticism. The demand for damages of €50,000 plus legal fees has sparked widespread criticism and is viewed as a deterrent.

It remains to be seen how the further developments in this case will unfold. However, data protection experts and critics of Doctolib will continue to point out the shortcomings and push for compliance with data protection regulations in the healthcare industry.

Schlagwörter: Doctolib + Abmahnung + Datenschutz

Wie bewerten Sie den Schreibstil des Artikels?