CHENNAI: In a setback to the internet giants Youtube and Google, the Madras High Court has directed them to disclose the identity and details of a user (Marupakkam Seithigal) who posted a video that a private company has termed defamatory. The High Court’s direction comes even after Google’s Contention that it cannot reveal the details due to its privacy policy.
Coming to the details of the case, a private company Lebara Foundation has filed a petition before the High Court terming a video uploaded by a user named Marupakkam Seithigal as offensive and defamatory. The company also requested the High Court to block the streaming of the video worldwide, in addition to legal action against the user.
However, Internet giant Google has refused to disclose the IP and other details fearing that the person in question may sue them for breach of trust. It also added that it is highly impossible and illegal for Youtube to monitor the content and details of all the videos uploaded on their portal.
Rejecting the arguments of Google, the single-judge bench said: “The Court is of the view that the minimum which is required to be done by Google during a legal hearing in such cases is to provide the IP and address details of the offender. There is no agreement between Google and the said user Marupakkam Seithigal to not to disclose details even after a court’s order. As such, we can see that the Google has nothing to fear about legal proceedings against it by the user, as it has been done on the orders of a Judicial authority”.
“Therefore, the Court is of an opinion that Google must disclose the details of the user in question and in addition block all the links sharing the defamatory video”, the Court observed.
Google said that it is legally difficult for them to block all the Video URLs, as the person in question stays outside India. However, it has promised to block all the video URL’s provided by Lebara Foundation in connection with the case.
Way forward: Google has to comply with the High Court’s order and furnish the details about Merupakkam Seithigal before the court of law. A notice will be sent to the offender for personal appearance on a specified date.