Dot worlds takes on Google
In another thrilling lawsuit against a 3rd party, dot worlds has taken on Google for the material that is in its index. Ok, that happens, there are three links now that show that material has been pulled from the USA index from Google in response to legal action taken by Dot Worlds.
He called the continued appearance of those criticisms “pure and utter libel,” and believes they were initially posted by business competitors. Retkin said the domain offers in question were “perfectly legitimate.” At this point, Retkin thinks Google has removed about 15,000 links from its international search engines, like Google.co.uk. On that site, a query for dotworlds scam returns notes at the bottom of Google’s search results, saying the company has removed some links in response to a legal request. Source: Web Pro News
Google insight points out that “Google Sued By Another Idiot Who Doesn’t Understand Internet Law” there are some serious issues here, and that Google, let alone any 3rd party, say an ISP or otherwise can not be held at fault for what their users post. So the American index is different from the English index, and shows another sign that Google has the ability to reduce data based on geographic location.
Regardless of Retkin and the idea of “Idiot or not” process that is going on, Google does respond to take downs, and then sends people off to chilling effects to take a look at the take down notice. Personally, we just will not do business with anyone who sends a take down notice. On the other side of that, the blog world has a tendency to rip apart anyone or any company who tries to censor information.
Dell, Digg, and a host of others have learned this very lesson, and it looks like Retkin, if the blog’s even decide to pick this one up is going to end up learning the same thing. Anyways with the abuse and misuse of the DMCA to quell speech, or try to run your competition out of business, as well as Google bombing on adsense and a whole lot of just general bad behavior are we really surprised that Retkin, let alone others would try the same tactic.
It might take time to refute claims of evil doing on the internet, but in the longer run, it seems to pay off handsomely if they can do this.
Probably time for someone to pay attention to the issue, and see what the blogosphere can do to help solve the issue, or at least generate so many links back to the articles that there is no way they can all be removed without an exorbinate amount of time, money and effort.
We understand that there are many who are rightly concerned about this case. However, what is happening to us is also happening to others and be under no illusion, it could also happen to you.
Google and other search engines spider links and articles on the Web all day every day and can, in the USA, disseminate the information contained whatever the content, without any liability to themselves (due 1st amendment/freedom of speech laws).
So what does this mean? This means that tomorrow morning someone with a grudge against you (maybe someone you looked at in a funny way 20 years ago) could tell the world that you are a fraudster, a criminal and a murderer (and that’s just for starters). Within days if not hours, articles containing this “factual information” would start to appear on Search Engines, under your name, probably near the top of the list, lingering on websites like Google for perhaps the next 30 years. Anyone, be it friends, family, potential employers would have instant access to this information simply by “Googling” you. Your life is about to change forever. You have no idea how much.
Ah, but couldn’t you complain to Google - after all, you are totally innocent of all charges - except maybe for the crime of coming into contact with a complete loony. Absolutely, but Google would do nothing. You would need a court order. Google is not responsible for the content on it’s website and Google is protected by law. No, just go away and search all cyberspace. Take it up with the anonymous author who doesn’t exist.
If, as has been pointed out that the information on Google’s Search Engine is not always 100% accurate, then perhaps Google should make this clear. Google is a phenomenal product and it is understandable that many have absolute faith in it. However, at the very least there is imbalance and this imbalance is clearly reflected in dotWORLDS case, where despite the fact that Google has published numerous withdrawal notices on Google.UK, not a word of this is mentioned in Google.COM. Why not? If there is a question on authenticity, why aren’t users in the USA told. You may not care one way or the other, but this is not a level playing field of information and as a direct result Google are putting their USA users in jeopardy.
Repeat publicly any libel that you (or anyone else) find on Google - even if you believe to be 100% accurate - and it is only you that is at risk. If prosecution follows, it will be you that is dragged off to court and if convicted, it would be your big problem and yours alone. Unfortunately, “I found it on Google” is no defense and you can be sure that Google will not be there to help you out. Of course, Google are protected and face no liability whatsoever as in the USA as they aren’t accountable. This would not be the case in the UK and elsewhere.
So, what do Google do in their own back yard. Well, take the case of Cnet. A reporter at CNet wanted to see how much information could be gathered on the net within a short period of time. After locating some personal information about Dr Schmidt, Google’s Chairman (amongst other things) the data was published. Google, incensed at this invasion of privacy, immediately banned its staff from talking to CNet reporters for one year. Embarrassingly, it transpired that not only was the information already in the public domain, but the same information about Dr Schmidt was also available on Google’s own websites.
“Google’s reaction to CNet is totally inconsistent with its handling of a man who had been falsely accused as a pedophile by his wife during divorce hearings, The man’s name and photograph were posted on a police website but were removed after the charges were dropped. However, having picked up the story, Google did not remove the pictures or postings it had published on its search engine. According to Pam Dixon, executive director of the World Privacy Forum (WPF), the page remained accessible through Google and was only removed after a long struggle.
There are 11.5 billion pages on Google. But really, how much of it is truly meaningful. Has this become a race for quantity over quality. Search “Google” on Google and you will find 1 billion entries. Great company - yes it is - but are there really a billion things to say about them. Spend 10 seconds on each page to find out and you will be at your computer for around the next 317 years (give or take a few days).
Yes, freedom of speech must be preserved and protected, but there is a fine line that is often blurred. We have built up an organization with members and users in over 90 countries around the world and we feel absolutely justified in trying to protect ourselves. As far as we are concerned, Google have been playing games with us for years - responding, ignoring, apologising, removing and re-inserting to their own agenda and in no particular order. This matter could have been settled long ago, amicably and without publicity. On our side at least, we have a mountain of letters and paperwork to prove that.
dotWORLDS neither seek to control Google nor to limit free speech as some have maintained in a few verging-on-the-hysterical (anonymous), not-so-hysterical (sometime anonymous) and reasoned (usually signed) emails that we have received. Internet law is catching up with real life and yes, there are going to be some difficult decisions ahead. However, in time solutions will be found that broadly, will satisfy all parties. dotWORLDS are simply trying to bring that time forward.