After repeatedly asking to have a blog taken down, Ulrich Richter Morales from Mexico filed a complaint against Google. The website in question publishes articles that harm the reputation of the complainant. The court ruled in favor and ordered payment of a fine amounting to 234 million euros.
Although Google is not unfamiliar with fines, the Mexican civil court imposed some unusually high penalties. Mountain View’s legal concerns are generally related to misuse of users’ personal data or questionable business practices. This is a category that is increasing costing it. The Mexican sentencing of his crime is different because it involves moral damage.
Ulrich Richter Morales from Mexico, who is a lawyer, reached out at Google to request that a blog be removed from Google search results. The blog in question claims that the man involved in money laundering and influence is falsifying documents. Ulrich Richter Morales claims that the articles have damaged his reputation, and asks Google for their removal
Google fines 234 million euros for non-material damage
The lawyer was frustrated by Google’s inaction and decided to file a lawsuit against the company. Justice Will Give him Reason by Ordering Google to Pay Him 5 Billion Philippine Pesos Or Around 234 Million Euros. However, the web giant isn’t going to be so easy and will appeal the court’s decision.
Google says this is “arbitrary”, “excessive and unfounded”. According to the company, it will defend itself “until death do us part” as this verdict violates freedom of expression. This conviction, while unusual, is not the first Google. The company was fined 466,000 euros for hosting YouTube videos that were defamatory to an Australian politician.
