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In Brazil, Google Fined For Content of Anonymous Posting

Posted by timothy on from the hey-you-put-up-that-blank-wall dept.

Sabriel writes "Google's appeal against a 2008 defamation ruling in Brazil over an anonymous posting on Orkut has been denied, and Google has been fined $8,500US ($9,100) for the crime of being vandalized. In the words of the judge, Alvimar de Avila, 'By making space available on virtual networking sites, in which users can post any type of message without any checks beforehand, with offensive and injurious content, and, in many cases, of unknown origin, [Google] assumes the risk of causing damage [to other people].' I'd submit a blunter opinion of this farce, but it might be considered offensive and injurious content. ... I wonder if he's related to the judge in Italy?"

1 of 484 comments (clear)

  1. Re:The Internet is less free... in Brazil. by DMiax · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    I sincerely hope that US people are less dickheaded than you. In civil law countries (like Italy too) the judges have little choice in applying the law.

    If I yell in the streets something libelous I am responsible, even if someone else told me first. The same applies to Google and the judges have no power to make exceptions. Which, if you think is a good way to make the law equal for everyone.

    Now, wearing my reasonable person hat I would say that it is actually better that Google took the bullet, since they are a foreign company and there is little damage they can receive from Brazilian (and italian) justice. They will defend themselves better than anyone and may publicize the issue so that the parliament can change the law for online postings. Civil law is slow to answer to changes in society, because it values consistency and equality more. There is more good and bad in there than can be said in a Slashdot comment.

    I will also admit that this is too ideal of a situation for Italy. We suck as a country and having a mafia supported/supporting government kind of kills any hope for a good reform...

    But wearing the pissed off person hat, you are an asshole and can shove your nationalistic pride up your ass. You can live in a place where corporations can do anything and people can do nothing. Call it freedom if you want and go away.