Italian prosecutors are seeking jail terms for Google
executivescharged in connection with
avideo posted on Google's Italian site.
The video depicted a disabled boy being mocked.
The prosecutors are seeking sentences that range from six to 12
months, according to
Reuters.
The video, filmed using a mobile phone and posted on the video
sharing site in 2006, drew complaints from the victim's family and
Italian advocacy group Vivi Down.
Italian prosecutors accused Google of having inadequate content
filters and insufficient staff to monitor content.
Four current and former Google executives, including global
privacy counsel Peter Fleischer, are on trial for defamation and
failing to have control over personal data.
Google said the case was "akin to prosecuting mail service
employees for hate speech letters sent in the post."
Google has argued that the case hits at the heart of internet
freedom, saying it is impossible for providers to check the
thousands of videos uploaded every day.
But prosecutors said it was not an issue about freedom, but
responsibility of companies and the need to safeguard fundamental
rights takes priority over business.
The defamation trial has been postponed several times since it
began in February. The trial
only properly got underway in September.
The next hearing is scheduled for 16 December when Google
lawyers will wrap up their defence. A verdict is expected in early
2010.
Standing in the dock are
Google's global
privacy counsel Peter Fleischer,
chief
legal officer David Drummond,
former CFO George Reyes, and a former Google video
executive.
Italy cracks down on web content >>