...a judge in Milan, Italy found three Google executives guilty of breaking the country's strict privacy code. The case involves a video that was uploaded to Google Video, which showed students bullying and taunting a mentally disabled child.
David Drummond, senior vice president and chief legal officer, George Reyes, former chief financial officer, and Peter Fleischer, chief privacy counsel, were each found guilty and sentenced to six-month prison terms, which were suspended. A fourth Google executive was also charged but cleared of all charges, which included criminal defamation.
The search engine giant said it will "vigorously appeal" the decision, which is reportedly the first privacy conviction for the search engine giant. Google issued a statement early this morning criticizing the judge's decision. "We will appeal this astonishing decision because the Google employees on trial had nothing to do with the video in question," the statement read. "Throughout this long process, they [Drummond, Reyes, and Fleischer] have displayed admirable grace and fortitude. It is outrageous that they have been subjected to a trial at all."
David Drummond, chief legal officer at Google and one of those convicted, said he was "outraged" by the decision.
I intend to vigorously appeal this dangerous ruling. It sets a chilling precedent," he said.
"If individuals like myself and my Google colleagues who had nothing to do with the harassing incident, its filming or its uploading onto Google Video can be held criminally liable solely by virtue of our position at Google, every employee of any internet hosting service faces similar liability," he added.
Peter Fleischer, privacy counsel at Google, questioned how many internet platforms would be able to continue if the decision held.
"I realise I am just a pawn in a large battle of forces, but I remain confident that today's ruling will be over-turned on appeal," he said.
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