Rick DaSilva From Erase.com Shares Stories from the Frontlines of Online Content Removal

Rick DaSilva is the Director of Sales at Erase.com – a trusted partner in online reputation management solutions. With a focus on ensuring optimal results, Rick oversees a dedicated team of reputation specialists committed to assisting individuals and businesses navigate the complexities of negative online content. Throughout his tenure, he has played a fundamental role in helping clients redefine their online presence by providing empathetic and constructive one-on-one support.

Under Rick’s leadership, Erase.com continues to reach new heights, and has garnered thousands of clients from across the globe. With unmatched industry knowledge and customer service, Rick and his team are proud to help individuals and brands safeguard their reputation from harmful online content.

What trends are you seeing in harmful/defamatory online content today? 

There has been an increase in targeted bullying and online harassment campaigns. In the last several years, we have witnessed the rise of ‘cancel culture’ a phenomenon that has transformed how people interact online. It is the act of withdrawing support for an individual or organization thought to have committed some form of socially unacceptable transgression. The result is an influx of online shaming, boycotting, and smear campaigns. We have had several clients whose words and actions have been taken out of context, leading to unnecessary harassment. Our job is to flip the narrative and populate their search results with authentic material that showcases them in a positive light.

Cyberbullying and revenge material are also on the rise, especially with so many people sharing sensitive information about themselves online and across multiple platforms. Doxxing has also become a popular form of online humiliation, where individuals may expose medical, financial, or legal information to the public, which in turn can lead to stalking, discrimination, and identity theft. In situations like this, we work quickly to remove sensitive information as soon as possible to help protect their online reputation.

How do you handle sensitive situations involving high-profile clients? 

High-profile clients require a high level of discretion and confidentiality. Public figures often face heightened online scrutiny, so it’s important to minimize media attention when handling these types of cases. At Erase.com, we implement strict confidentiality agreements and provide comprehensive security measures to ensure the safety and privacy of our clientele. We facilitate collaborative efforts with trusted industry professionals to deliver innovative solutions while acting as trusted advisors throughout the entire process.

What’s the most challenging content removal case you’ve worked on? 

In the reputation management sector, every case is unique. We have helped thousands of individuals and businesses reclaim their online reputation, and it is never a one-step solution. A specific case, however, that stands out in my mind, is a client who was falsely accused of financial fraud by a former business partner. This once trusted individual had posted defamatory content on various leading news sites and social media platforms. The solution was a comprehensive removal strategy followed by months of Online Reputation Management (ORM) services. Each platform had different removal policies, so clearing up this client’s online presence was a collaborative effort alongside my team and other website administrators. I’d say that the most important step is ensuring open communication throughout the process so the client always knows what’s ahead in terms of goals and strategies.

When content removal isn’t possible, how do you help clients mitigate the impact?  

While our removal efforts will always be our top priority, there are instances where deletion is not possible. Every website will have different take down/ free speech policies, sometimes making it challenging to erase harmful online content. In these types of situations, there are secondary steps that we take to help clients re-claim their online presence. These steps may consist of de-indexing efforts as well as a comprehensive ORM strategy with the goal of populating search results with positive online content. By optimizing a client’s web presence with authentic, high-ranking material, and monitoring for additional threats, we can still help individuals and businesses reclaim their reputation, regardless of successful takedown efforts.

How has the rise of AI-generated content and deepfakes affected the landscape of online defamation? 

AI-generated content has challenged us to evolve as a company. The rise of artificial intelligence and deepfakes has presented us with new opportunities to improve our products and services. AI content is becoming increasingly accessible, meaning that individuals with minimal technological expertise can now create AI-generated blogs, videos, and images. These tools also allow users to create a high volume of content in a short amount of time. With extensive online resources, users taking advantage of AI can create and distribute harmful materials, making takedown efforts difficult.

Are there particular industries or professions more vulnerable to online defamation? If so, how can you prevent the spread of negative content? 

Online defamation can impact anyone, in any industry; however, there are definitely certain professions that frequently fall victim to the spread of negative material. Alongside public facing individuals, anyone in healthcare, hospitality, and service industries, are more vulnerable to online defamation. Medical professionals are often targeted by disgruntled patients and in certain instances, a single malpractice allegation can negatively impact their reputation, causing other longstanding patients to lose trust in their abilities. Additionally, hotels, and travel related businesses that are heavily reliant on customer reviews, often face false and misleading critiques on third-party review platforms.

At Erase.com we utilize advanced monitoring tools to track mentions and identify potential risks. Our team is committed to providing individuals and businesses with the resources they need to counteract negative online content and then continue to enhance their online presence over time. We highly recommend Online Reputation Management (ORM) for individuals and businesses of all sizes, and our team of professionals are always available to provide customized, one-on-one support.

Have you read?
Countries with the highest human freedom.
World’s Safest & Most Dangerous Countries For Travelers.
Longest and Shortest Life Expectancies in the World.
World’s Most And Least Stressed Countries.