They happily throw the cloak of anonymity over lawbreakers. Steal an artist's work and "share" it on YouTube so you can get some royalties? Put it on a blog so you can get a free Rapidshare account? Fine with Google.
Google's intimidated lawmakers so that they are under NO obligation to suspend anyone or remove a blog or a YouTube account.
Google makes a fortune off blogs that offer porn to minors and pages or "revenge" porn and Photoshop fakes. They're not about to slow things down by asking for a credit card or any meaningful form of identification. They make even more off YouTube where people steal movies, music and TV clips. The uploaders are all anonymous.
Let's say a woman discovers fake porn pix of her on a blog, along with insults and personal details. Let's say a singer discovers her indie album is being given away FREE. Google says "If you want justice, don't ask us to reveal the anonymous person behind it. YOU give us YOUR name, address, phone number, verification of copyright or intellectual property, the specific page you are complaining about and the reasons you think the page should be removed...and maybe will do it. In a week or two. And if the person re-posts, you just go through the hoops all over again. And by the way...we'll tell the person what you did and how you can be found! How's that for a chilling effect?"
Imagine if a newspaper reported a sex assault story by running a photo of the victim naked and spread for a "rape kit" exam, giving her full name and address...while shielding the name and photo of the rapist.
That's what's going on here.
Anyone complaining about being abused has to spread for Google, who put all the info on their "Chilling Effects" website. In the real world, your call to the cops or your complaint letter to the mayor isn't automatically uploaded to a website with your name, address and phone number. But privacy on Google is reserved for the criminals, not the innocent.
The idea is, "if you report anything to Google and "ruin the fun" for a pervert or a thief, you will get a "Chilling effect."
Your complaint will be made public so that hackers and pranksters can come after you. If you don't ignore Google's abuses, they might rat you out. Maybe "by accident" they'll post your complaint with all your personal details revealed. Maybe it'll be done on purpose.
Really, only those who have the strongest stomach and the best security, will DARE report abuse if it's going to cause them harassment, crank calls all day, or identity theft. Web Sheriff, for example, is well paid by their clients, and has strong security at their office. Otherwise, they wouldn't file complaints that get posted to "Chilling Effects," complete with name address and phone number:
The message is simple. Cross BIG BROTHER GOOGLE at your own peril. Chilling, isn't it?
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