Note: This story has been updated.
Brazilian officials dont seem to think much of the take-no-prisoners style of war-by-video that characterizes the election season in the United States. And, as has happened in other countries, Google Inc. has found itself in the middle of a battle over Internet free speech and politicians.
A regional judge there ordered the arrest of senior executive Fabio Jose Silva Coelho unless he removes an online video that attacked a local mayoral candidate over an alleged paternity suit. Coelho was arrested but not held in police custody, so he remains free while Google appeals the order.
Brazils pre-election Internet law is outdated and should be repealed, said Carolina Rossini, a Brazilian attorney who works for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, in response to the judges order.
Naturally, Google agrees. Google is appealing the decision that ordered the removal of the YouTube video because, in being a platform, Google is not responsible for the content posted on its site, the company said Tuesday in a statement from Sao Paulo, according to the Washington Post. Google declined further comment.
Brazil has severe restrictions on offending the dignity or decorum of a candidate during the election season. Rossini said until recently the Internet was thought to be exempt from this law.
The court order follows a similar one earlier this month by another Brazilian judge against a different Google executive. That order was overturned last week in a ruling that said Google was not the creator or poster of the offending material and couldnt be held liable.
