Dave Gordon

Most consumers and businesses know that online reviews matter, but they are wholly unaware of how those reviews can be altered, rendered completely insignificant, or even erased. Reputation management experts (RMEs) are hired for this express purpose. But not everything about the profession is obvious.

Last year, Marriott Hotels security breaches lost 500 million data records, Cambridge Analytica leaked users’ information from Facebook, Google+ shut down early after failing to disclose a data leak, and Coast Capital in Canada reported that 140 people lost millions from hackers.