Google Case in Italy Has Serious Implications for the Web
This article explains the case in which Google executives are being held responsible for a video posted on GoogleVideo that depicted a group of kids bullying an autistic child
Should these executives be held accountable for postings made on their site? Should Mark Zuckerberg creator of facebook, be held accountable for any facebook stalking that may lead to real like stalking? No! Blaming a company or its executives for the actions of other people that they have had no previous contact with, seems absolutely absurd. Punishing owners for someone else’s content does not make the situation right, nor does it do anything to fix the situation. The article states that the four Google executives “ did not appear in it, film it, upload it or review it. None of them know the people involved or were even aware of the video's existence until after it was removed." If this is the case, then how could they possibly be at fault? Obviously, social media sites cannot control everything posted on their sites. And even though some of them use filters and have certain restrictions, it would be absolutely impossible to review every facebook status, and every video uploaded.
On one hand of this issue, users are fully responsible for their own actions, but on the other hand, site owners should monitor whatever information is uploaded or placed on their sites. But obviously, like I stated before, it would be impossible to monitor each and every post. Just as with any large website that embraces social networking tactics, there is no way to stop the movement or check on it. So executives (especially high ranking ones whose job description does not include filtering content) should not be held responsible.
So, what do you think,
Should Social Media Be Held Accountable for User Actions?
2 comments:
I don't think social media sites should be held responsible for people's actions. I'm sure there is something in the terms of agreement that says this, but most of us don't see it because we just click the I accept box. It seems with stalking that it's hard to blame it on anyone else other than the stalker. We don't blame MTV for contributing to someone becoming a musician's stalker, and we surely don't blame the manufacturer of the car that the stalker is driving for providing them with the opportunity to follow someone around. People need to be accountable for their own actions.
I can't believe the judge actually convicted the Google executives! I completely agree that it's a "serious threat to the web." I think the legal battle ground of the internet is evolving and is beginning to define the structure within which we all play, albeit extremely blurry at the moment. Who's responsible will continue to be an important question when it concerns disturbing material. This is an an unjust blow I believe. Italy has set it's stance, I hope other nations view the situation differently.
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