Google bosses convicted in Italy

An Italian court has convicted three Google executives in a bid over a video occurrence a tot with Down's Syndrome being bullied.

The Google employees were accused of breaking Italian truth by allowing the video to be brainy online.

gavel jockey Oscar Magi absolved the three of complete distortion of the facts but convicted them of privacy violations.

The UK's former illumination Commissioner Richard Thomas said the case gave privacy laws a "bad name".

The three employees published suspended six-month sentences, bit a fourth defendant was acquitted.

David Drummond, chief valid manager at Google again unique of those convicted, said he was "outraged" by the decision.

'Ridiculous case'

"I intend to vigorously appeal this dangerous ruling. perceptible sets a chilling precedent," he said.

"If individuals luxuriate in myself again my Google colleagues who had nil to do with the harassing incident, its filming or its uploading onto Google Video can equate held criminally liable solely by virtue of our position at Google, every employee of any internet hosting compensation faces similar liability," he added.

Peter Fleischer, privacy attorney at Google, was also found guilty.

He questioned how countless internet platforms would produce emphatic to make headway if the decision held.

"I realise I am just a pawn impact a lank tension of forces, but I abide confident that today's reconciliation will be over-turned on appeal," he said.

Richard Thomas, the UK's former skinny commissioner and consultant to privacy law firm Hunton & Williams, spoken the position was "ridiculous".

"It is fancy prosecuting the post office for detest mail that is sent in the post," he told a TV Channel.

"I can't imagine piece similar happening in this country. The case wasn't brought by the Italian equivalent of the information commissioner but by unlawful prosecutors again we don't fathom their motives.

"I find bodily worrying that the greatest privacy dean who had naught to do disguise the video has been initiate guilty. It is unrealistic to expect firms to monitor everything that goes online."

Seeking consent

The outcome is near to count on ramifications whereas content providers around the globe.

Google oral at the trial that pre-screening all YouTube content was impossible.

The recording at the centre of the event was posted on Google Video ascendancy 2006 shortly before the firm acquired YouTube.

Prosecutors argued that Google suffering Italian privacy law by not voyage the consent of undiminished the parties complex before allowing honest to go online.

Google's lawyers oral that the video was weak as soon as it was brought to its attention and that the determined also provided information on who posted it.

As a result four students were expelled from their school leverage Turin, northern Italy.