X

Report: Italy charges Google officials over taunting video

Four former and current Google charged with defamation and breach of privacy for allegedly allowing posting of video of a teen with Down syndrome being taunted, Reuters says.

Dawn Kawamoto Former Staff writer, CNET News
Dawn Kawamoto covered enterprise security and financial news relating to technology for CNET News.
Dawn Kawamoto
Italian prosecutors reportedly filed defamation and breach of privacy charges against four former and current Google officials and set a February 3 hearing date, according to a Reuters report.

The case centers on allegations Google did not take steps to prevent a third party from posting video on its site that shows a teenager with Down syndrome being taunted by other teens.

Italian authorities were set to charge the individuals back in July. Prosecutors have since filed the charges and a hearing date for February has been set, Reuters said.

According to reports back in July, those to be charged were the former chairman of Google Italy, a former Google Italy board member, the former head of Google Video for Europe, and an executive responsible for European privacy policy.

Google representatives were not immediately available for comment.