According to IDG News Service, prosecutors in Italy are finishing an investigation into whether Google should be charged with defamation or invasion of privacy in connection with a video posted in September, 2006.
The clip, which was only on Google Video for a few hours, showed bullies harassing a disabled teenager. A Down Syndrome advocacy group, Vividown, later complained, so prosecutors in Turin are reportedly considering criminal charges against the search engine company.
IDG quoted Google spokesman Stefano Hesse as saying a prosecution could prove
“dangerous for the future of user-generated content.”
The video reportedly showed the bullies hitting the disabled boy with tissue boxes.
No word yet on whether the Italian prosecutors are going to charge the lowlifes who actually harassed the disabled kid.