Google Versus Berlusconi(Italy): Internet Censorship Looms Over Youtube
By Arnab, Gaea News NetworkSunday, January 24, 2010
ITALY (GaeaTimes.com)- Even before the controversy over Google’s operations in China could die down, the Internet search giant has got embroiled in another controversy. This time the company is locking horns with the Government of Italy. The Google versus Silvio Berlusconi ( Italy ) : Internet censorship looms over YouTube issue is likely to become a widely searched topic in the coming days. If the Italian government implements a new law that will mean trouble for Google as the law enforces internet content censorship. Google owns the YouTube video service. Such moves are almost unprecedented in European nations.
However, the Google versus Silvio Berlusconi face off will give the critics of the leader in Italy a chance to attack him. As the Internet censorship looms over YouTube the opponents see a plot to support the Mediaset network owned by Silvio Berlusconi. If the law is indeed implemented it will affect the bloggers community to a great extent. The owners of sites with video content are also likely to get affected. As per the new rules, The ISPs will be forced to remove contents deemed inappropriate by the state. Otherwise the ISP will have to pay a fine of $210,000.
Google has expressed its concern at the development and the Google versus Silvio Berlusconi fiasco is going to hot up with time. It has stated that the Internet Censorship that looms over YouTube may destroy the online sharing system. However, it remains to be seen if Google would like to pull out its operations from Italy or not.
