Judge orders Google to hand over YouTube usernames, viewing data

From reading the NYT article it appears that Viacom wants this information in order to attempt to make a case that YouTube's business was built substantially on the basis of copyright violations (not Viacom's specifically but in general).

It's troubling on a somewhat abstract level given that the entertainment they "own" is built on borrowing, sharing and appropriation. But I digress... How Viacom needs the account and IP information in order to make their case that puzzles me. But beyond that, that they are being given the opportunity to violate the privacy of tens of millions of people in pursuit of profits is mind boggling.

So many people poo-poo the telecom immunity issue and don't see how it's related, or to the degree they are aware of it, view questions of whether or not judicial appointees see a right to privacy in the constitution as only a question of abortion rights. I fear we are giving away our privacy not only knowingly in exchange for some convenience but worse through ignorance and inaction.

Go EFF! And let's get this question to the Supreme Court and keep our fingers crossed for Kennedy to swing in our collective direction.

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Virginia - good point.

Now if only that amendment assured the unconstitutionality of the original and the renewal of the USA Patriot Act a few years ago (and surely the upcoming extension to it in about a year).

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I'm mourning the loss of the USA I love as the constitution and individual liberty have been trampled and shredded.   It makes my heart ache.  Our forefathers and foremothers would be sickened by what we have devolved into.

Nancy 

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Sumner Redstone - the person who controls Viacom - is a liberal Democrat, or at least that is how he self identifies.

I would content that mega-billionaires canot be liberal Democrats... that perspective interferes with Feudal Lordship.

This is where media consolidation leads.

If we want to converse intelligently on this issue we need to understand a few basics:

• Basic media ownership - who controls what?
  
• How a comapny grows so large.
• This guy controls Viacom.
• How personal record privacy was trashed by the Patriot Act.
• What set this in motion.

Basically there is nothing we can do to outmaneuver huge corporations as long as they are granted legall status as a corportate person with all the rights and none of the responsibilities or real persons while also enjoying laws that make them immortal. Humans and individual rights don't have a chance of survival let alone winning against such heinous monstrosities as corporations that are simply the economic arm of a few overlord families.

I've been blogging about this topic for a while. Here's one of my more pointed and some might even say strident posts: Coupe d'etats, euthanizing corporations and reclaiming our voting rights.

Just so we don't get too seriously depressed, I also recommend that you read this satiric parody of Sumner Redstone and Viacom for a few dark laughs. As long as we can laugh they haven't won. :)

Nancy

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