Defamation & Notice‑and‑Takedown Policy (UK)
Implementing Defamation Act 2013 s.5 and related UK regulations
1. Purpose and scope
This Policy implements Defamation Act 2013 s.5 and the Defamation (Operators of Websites) Regulations 2013 for statements posted by users on the Him? Platform.
2. Submitting a "Notice of Complaint"
To complain about allegedly defamatory User Content, send an email to [legal@talkabouthim.uk] with subject "Defamation Notice", including all of:
Required Information
Your full name, email and postal address; if on behalf of an organisation, your authority to act.
The URL(s) or in‑app permalink(s)/ID(s) of the specific statement(s).
The full words complained of, and the meaning you say they convey.
Why the words are defamatory of you (and why untrue), with any supporting evidence.
Date and time of access; screen captures if available.
Whether legal proceedings are intended.
Whether you consent to disclosure of your notice to the poster.
3. Our process (statutory timelines)
Step 1: We will acknowledge receipt promptly and assess validity.
Step 2: If valid, we will contact the poster using the account details we hold, share your notice (or a summary), and ask whether the poster consents to their name and contact details being provided to you.
Step 3: If the poster does not consent, cannot be contacted, or does not respond within the statutory period, we will remove the content within the time limits prescribed by the Regulations and notify you.
Step 4: If the poster consents to disclosure, we will provide their details to you and may keep the content online pending resolution, subject to our independent assessment of legal risk and our policies.
Note: We may remove content at our discretion without admission of liability.
4. Abuse of process
Notices made in bad faith, that are incomplete, vexatious, or fail to identify the impugned words may be rejected.
5. Appeals / corrections
We offer channels to request contextual updates, corrections, or right‑of‑reply content where proportionate.
Typical Process Timeline
Notice Receipt
Acknowledgment within 48 hours
Poster Contact
Notification to original poster
Response Period
Statutory waiting period for poster response
Resolution
Content removal or contact details shared
Note: Timelines may vary based on complexity and statutory requirements. We may remove content earlier if it appears clearly unlawful or harmful.
Submitting Your Notice
Email: [legal@talkabouthim.uk]
Subject: "Defamation Notice"
Include all required information
Incomplete notices may be rejected
Response within 48 hours
We acknowledge all valid notices promptly
Important Legal Notice
This policy is designed to comply with UK law, specifically the Defamation Act 2013 and related regulations.
Him? operates as a hosting provider under the Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations 2002 and may benefit from safe harbour protections when following this process.
For urgent legal matters or court orders, contact [legal@talkabouthim.uk] immediately with "URGENT LEGAL" in the subject line.