A group of Japanese doctors has filed a civil lawsuit against US search giant Google, demanding damages for what they claim are unpoliced derogatory and often false comments.

Filed last week in Tokyo District Court, the lawsuit demands 1.4 million yen ($14,000) in damages for 63 medical professionals.

The lawsuit claims groundless negative reviews have been posted on Google Maps, a very popular app in Japan, which allows people to write in ratings of various institutions and their personal reviews.

Google said in an emailed statement Friday that it was working “24 hours a day” to reduce misleading or false information on its platform, combining human and technological resources “to delete fraudulent reviews”.