This OK?: Google/YouTube have to give user viewing records to Viacom per court order...

[Skip Intro]

I've been gone for a day or two (or twenty years?) but I'm reading about this situation where Viacom has been given access to YouTube viewer IP addresses, viewing history, etc. In the name in the name of combating privacy, I mean piracy.

Isn't this kinda big? Maybe I missed a thread?


How much can be learned from an IP address? And what about those users who give the actual info for name and address etc? And if the privacy of personal internet usage can be violated for suspected piracy, then who has been allowed access to what in the name of national security?

I dunno, this and the sudden FISA debate - maybe I just have my tinfoilhat on too tight?

On edit: it looks like Google may be trying to make all data anonymous before handing it over.

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&tab=ln&ned=us&ie=UTF-8&ncl=1225624464

[napi21]

1. I believe Google is fighting the order, but I have a bigger question...

Do you have ANY IDEA how many IP addresses are in that database? I don't, but then I don't think I can count that high! What in the hell are they going to do with them all? Even if they manage to sort out the ones that accessed the shows Viacom is claiming copyright infringement on, there must be multi millions!

Like the host on CNN said, after hearing about this..."they want to know who has accessed these videos? It would be easier to ask WHO HASN'T! Everybody I know has!"