SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation)
Legal actions filed primarily to intimidate, burden, or silence critics, journalists, whistleblowers, or competitors—regardless of legal merit—by imposing high litigation costs and creating chilling effects on speech or opposition.
Common Deployment Scenarios
Media Pressure
Suing journalists or publications over investigative reporting to delay publication, force retractions, or trigger internal legal reviews.
Review Suppression
Targeting individuals or platforms hosting negative reviews with defamation claims to remove critical content.
Whistleblower Retaliation
Filing suits against former employees or insiders to discredit disclosures and deter others from coming forward.
Protest or Petition Interference
Using litigation to suppress organized opposition, consumer advocacy, or regulatory petitions that threaten business interests.
Settlement Leverage
Filing with the intent to reach a private settlement that includes nondisclosure or content takedown as a condition.