Google Forced to Reveal Identity of Offensive Blogger
Liskula Cohen is a Canadian-born model, best known for her appearances in fashion magazines such as Vogue, Elle, and Cleo. When she discovered that a blog called Skanks in NYC, hosted on Google’s Blogger, had been referring to her as “skank” and “old hag,” she decided to press GoogleGoogle
to reveal the identity of the blogger through court, and the court has now decided in her favor.
One quote is enough to show the nature of the blog: “How old is this skank? 40 something? She’s a psychotic, lying, whoring, still going to clubs at her age, skank.” However, the blogger’s lawyer argued that these comments are his opinions and hyperbole – trash talk, if you will – but Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Joan Madden decided that “the thrust of the blog is that [Cohen] is a sexually promiscuous woman,” and that Cohen is entitled to sue the blogger for defamation.
This also means that Google will have to reveal the identity of the blogger in question; an important move that will set a precedent for future cases such as this one. The blogger in question has, without a doubt, been very offensive towards Cohen, as can be seen in the above quote. However, as we all know, the internet is full of offensive comments and broad negative statements of all kinds.
On the upside, this decision will make people think twice about posting offensive posts and comments about someone, as they’re no longer protected by a shroud of anonymity. On the other hand, it might trigger a flood of similar lawsuits, perhaps for trivial reasons, which can in turn have serious implications on everyone’s online privacy.
What do you think? Was Judge Madden’s decision the right one? Please voice your opinion in the comments.
Thanks Goodness - Some collegues of mine have had to endure slander from gutless wonders who use anominty as an excuse to spew forth bile and hatred. Reasoned Critisisim is one thing, Complete Bull is another thing entirely.
Posted via web from Ed's posterous
Is Google’s response the right one?
As long as it doesn’t change current first amendment laws yes. However for those who might not be paying attention right now there is an attack on the US first amendment going on. If freedom of speech is lost in the US the Internet becomes useless as well in the US.
Google doesn’t have crap to say about it. The laws of a given country and international ones are all that matters in the big picture.
In the smaller picture or the one for people who cannot afford the time or money to go around suing people Google’s decisions mean everything. Because they can help or hinder our ability to function on-line.