Google Asks Viacom To Respect User Privacy

Legally forced to give up YouTube user logs, Google has asked to be allowed to anonymize those logs before producing them in court.

Viacom won the fight to gain access to YouTube user logs in its copyright infringement battle with Google, albeit with limits – according to CNET, Viacom has been told by the court that it can only use the data to prove its copyright infringement case, and can’t pursue individuals in an RIAA style, where people have been targeted for the illegal sharing of copyrighted music.

Now, ZDNet reports, Google is asking Viacom to allow it to anonymize the user logs before it has to produce them in court. In a statement, Google said:

"We are pleased the court put some limits on discovery, including refusing to allow Viacom to access users’ private videos and our search technology. We are disappointed the court granted Viacom’s over-reaching demand for viewing history. We are asking Viacom to respect users’ privacy and allow us to anonymize the logs before producing them under the court’s order."
Google and other ISPs claimed they’re protected from being responsible for the actions of those who use their services under the “safe harbor” provision of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.