You read about conviction of Google executives in an Italian court last week? I say good for Italy! And good for ethics on the Internet.
What it means is that American arrogance got sand kicked in its face. High time too. But its more the issue that Google's lawyers failed miserably at their job of reconnoitering the legal landscape in which they do business - erroneously thinking American business practices, or better said the lack of ethical standards, are applicable everywhere. They're not, nor should they be. Remember, the EC pushed Microsoft's nose in the dirt a few years ago after they got out of control. As smart as Google thinks it is, its arrogance discounted the fact that for some cultures it's not just about money. Google maintains that its about freedom of speech. The Italian high court said its about ethics. So, bully for Italy!
Further, typical of corporate legal departments. Google said it would appeal, if the verdict is allowed to stand, "the Web as we know it will cease to exist." Ya think so? I don't. The important aspect of this trial is that it sets an EC wide legal precedent.
I especially like this doom-and-gloom scenario from the Electronic Frontier Foundation in San Francisco: "If intermediaries like Google or the person who hosts your Web site can be thrown in jail in any country for the acts of other people and suddenly have a legal obligation to pre-screen everything anyone says on their Web site before putting it online, the tools for free speech that everyone uses on the Net would grind to a halt."
Its high time the brakes were applied.
