Court Orders Google to report what You Watch on YouTube
In what seems to me to be a disturbing and inexplicable decision, the Southern Court of New York has ruled for Viacom and against Google in a suit that will require Google to make available information on the videos you watch at YouTube. The court essentially decided that to ensure Viacom can examine source code of user-posted clips, it will allow Viacom to get personal infoprmation on what videos you and I watch in what we thought was the privacy f our own screen.The EFF explains the details and repercussions.
I had heard about this case but did not bother to follow it because I never thought such a blatant disregard for personal privacy rights would ever pass approval in a Federal Court. I hope the highest court has a clearer view of the Constitution when it inevitably reviews this one. The repercussions are far reaching and downright scary in my opinion.
Ridiculous...nothing ceases to amaze me these days.
Posted by: Britney Mason | July 03, 2008 at 03:26 PM
This decision is a perfect example of the phrase, "chilling effect."
Posted by: Tom Guarriello | July 03, 2008 at 03:30 PM
Yes this is scary. I'm a big fan (member) of the EFF too.
Posted by: rareHERO | July 10, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Surely in 2008 this can't happen. And yet, you know what? I find I am saying that to myself with monotonous regularity these days.
Posted by: Neil Baulch | July 22, 2008 at 05:14 AM