Google came under fire from MPs today after admitting it was to blame for a video apparently showing a gang rape being watched hundreds of times on the internet. The web giant’s head lawyer said it was “clearly a mistake on our part” that the clip was not removed quickly earlier this year from the YouTube site, which Google owns. But Kent Walker resisted repeated calls for all submitted content to be pre-vetted, saying it would go against the spirit of the internet and stifle creativity. The system of users reporting inappropriate content usually resulted in items being removed within an hour, he said. Mr Walker was giving evidence to the Commons culture, media and sport committee which is investigating dangers posed to children by the internet.
Asked about the failure to take down the “rape” footage – which was reported to show an unconscious woman being attacked by several teenagers in London – he said: “I do not know exactly what happened but it was a mistake.” It was viewed up to 600 times.
The team of reviewers responsible looked through a “huge amount” of material, he said, and there were very few examples of such problems. YouTube should not be treated as a communications tool not a broadcaster, he told the MPs, and rejected suggestions it did not pre-vet videos because it would be too expensive. Mr Walker also defended Google’s decision to allow the Chinese government to restrict content on the Google search engine in China, saying there was a balance to strike between such control and the spur to free speech and reform offered by the availability of the content that remained.
There is something fishy about this story, apparently the “victim” has been arrested on suspicion of underage sex and perverting the course of justice. Still it makes you wonder how this isn’t happening more frequently.
viewed 600 times? when you compare that to the views of items on porn sites it makes this look like it was taken down rather quickly.
Yea, Google really can’t be expected to review each and every video posted. That would be impossible. And where would it stop if they tried?
How many criminals have been caught because they posted something stupid to YouTube? How many of those videos have we enjoyed right here?
Allow them to post it. Now London has a video of these guys in the act. So stop crying and go after them and thank YouTube for their help.
#2–Ah Yea==exactly right. Side benefit besides increased non-invasive law enforcement is a directing of public attention to “whom is actually culpable.” Maybe a bitter pill too late to be taken in Western Society, but why not start here?
why take it down? You can’t be serious. The police can have it for evidence sure. But can you honestly say that if you were raped you’d want the whole world to be able to see it? Give me a f’ing break.
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