Google Hands Over IP Address

Under court pressure, Google has handed over the IP address of an Israeli using its blogging software.

Israel news source Globes Online has reported that Google has handed over the IP address of a person using its GoogleBlogger software.   The search giant submitted after a court ruling. It’s alleged that the anonymous blogger slandered Shaarei Tikva council members who were running for re-election. Thecouncil members asked Google for the bloggers name, finally reaching a court-mandated settlement after the council members filed a lawsuit against the blogger.   Initially Google refused torelease the information, but changed its mind after a pre-ruling by Judge Oren Schwartz said there was suspicion of criminal content in the blog’s content.   Under the settlement, 72 hoursbefore the court hearing in Rishon LeZion Magistrates Court the council members would leave a message on the blog summoning the blogger to the hearing. When there was no response after the period hadexpired, Google handed over the IP address.