European court reaches verdict with profound impact in Internet

The European Union Court has reached a verdict with a profound impact on the functioning of the Internet.

See: <http://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf?docid=152065&mode=req&pageIndex=1&dir=&occ=first&part=1&text=&doclang=EN&cid=34297>


In essence when you Google your own name, the search results page is subject to European privacy laws which state that the individual whose name popped up has the right to correct or alter information appearing on the results page.

Google by virtue of this verdict is now forced to create some mechanism to offer any European Union individual just that.

Issues about verification of individual requesting removal set aside it also has profound implications about freedom of right issues.

What about suspects in ongoing criminal or other court cases who would want to exercise their right innocent until proven guilty, which would obviously benefit all criminals and corrupt individuals.

I think it is high time that the creators, maintainers and developers of the platforms which collectively form the Internet sit down with search engine companies and work out some practical rules to provide the option of the right to have some personal information forgotten, as stated in this European verdict feasible.

Otherwise an Orwellian future looms at the horizon where history is conveniently rewritten in cases where for freedom of information reasons this obviously should NOT.


Milton Ponson
GSM: +297 747 8280
PO Box 1154, Oranjestad
Aruba, Dutch Caribbean
Project Paradigm: A structured approach to bringing the tools for sustainable development to all stakeholders worldwide by creating ICT tools for NGOs worldwide and: providing online access to web sites and repositories of data and information for sustainable development

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