Google Tackles Extortion Plot Against Small Businesses

This week, Google made headlines for rolling out a new tool in Google Maps, aimed at empowering small businesses against online extortion. The move comes after a surge in review-based blackmail schemes, where threat actors flood business profiles with fake one-star ratings to ruin reputation, only to later demand a ransom for removal through encrypted messaging channels.

Business owners have struggled to get support from traditional moderation channels, with many facing devastating impacts on revenue and customer trust. Google's response—a dedicated form to report extortion—helps document incidents, trigger faster moderation, and ultimately strengthen trust in the platform.

Experts say this is just the beginning of the battle against “review bombing” and digital extortion. In an era where online reputation can make or break a company, coordinated efforts between tech companies, legal authorities, and community vigilance are key. The sincere hope is that this feature will help level the playing field and reassure small businesses that digital platforms are allies, not risk factors.

08-11-2025