Google Managers Convicted in Italian Court
As you all know, I am heavily Google biased, but I am also “if it’s wrong, it’s wrong” and wont let my feelings get in the way. So when I hear a story like this I try my best to see both sides of the argument and give an informed non-biased opinion. Here is the quick run down… Milan Judge Oscar Magi ruled this morning that two Google managers and a former chief financial officer!!!! were guilty of privacy violations. Now before everyone jumps on the “it’s all Buzz’s fault”, or “Google knows too much about us and it had to happen eventually”, let me get to the reason of the court case.
The executives were on trial because of a video that was uploaded to Google Video in 2006. The clip was created by some kids (not Google employees) who taped themselves bullying a autistic classmate. Of course, as soon as Google was notified, they pulled the video and even helped Italian police identify the people responsible for posting it. So is Google at fault? Are they expected to “police”‘ every video that gets uploaded? I mean, that IS what the “report this video” button is for right? You would think that people would be responsible enough to not post items like that in the first place, but I suppose if they are stupid enough to bully (anyone, let alone a autistic child) then they are stupid enough to video it and inform the world of their stupidity.
But lets play devils advocate for a moment and say “sure let’s blame Google.” Would you pull the people in charge of Google Video into court? Or maybe someone from the QA team? Nah, let’s take this a totally different route and pull the Senior Vice President of Corporate Development, a member of the Global Privacy Counsel, and of course the Former Chief Financial Officer. After all.. I’m sure they have at least watched one video from Google Videos right? The worst part of it all… they were found guilty!?!?!?
As Google noted in their blog post today, the act of finding these people guilty “attacks the very principles of freedom on which the Internet is built. European Union law was drafted specifically to give hosting providers a safe harbor from liability so long as they remove illegal content once they are notified of its existence.” It essentially makes hosting platforms like Google Video, YouTube, TwitVid or even Facebook and Myspace “criminally responsible” for content uploaded by users. Google plans on appealing the decision, and I sure hope they win. Otherwise Italy, and possibly the world could be in for a major change in how “free” the Internet really is. All because of some stupid kids… and some stupid court decision.
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