Google sues LATAM Airlines in U.S. court over global content removal order
Google takes legal action in U.S. against LATAM Airlines to block Brazilian court order over video removal A legal clash highlighting the tension between national sovereignty and global digital platforms.
Google, parent company of YouTube, has filed a lawsuit in a U.S. federal court against LATAM Airlines Group, aiming to overturn a Brazilian court decision that orders the video platform to remove content the airline claims is defamatory.
The conflict revolves around a video published on YouTube in 2018, in which the son of a U.S. citizen recounts an alleged abuse by a LATAM employee during a flight taken as an unaccompanied minor. Following the video’s publication, LATAM initiated legal proceedings in Brazil in 2018 to have the content removed.
In its court filing in California, Google argues that the airline is attempting to bypass free speech protections enshrined in U.S. law. The company maintains that a foreign court order should not have extraterritorial reach to determine what content is accessible to users in other countries.
Google spokesperson José Castañeda stated that the company supports the principle that "courts in one country can govern content within their borders, but should not dictate what is accessible elsewhere."
The case escalates at a time when Brazil's Supreme Court is set to decide next week whether it has the authority to demand global content removal, a ruling that could set a major precedent in internet content regulation.
This legal battle highlights the growing tension between global tech companies and national jurisdictions over content moderation and legal authority in the digital age. For its part, LATAM seeks to protect its corporate reputation against claims it considers harmful and which were the subject of a confidential settlement in a Florida court in 2020, following a lawsuit filed by the boy’s father.
Key points:
Why is Google suing LATAM Airlines?
Google is seeking a U.S. court ruling to affirm that it is not obligated to enforce a Brazilian court order—requested by LATAM—to remove a YouTube video in the United States, citing U.S. free speech protections.What triggered the dispute between Google and LATAM?
The dispute stems from a 2018 YouTube video alleging abuse by a LATAM employee. The airline is pursuing global removal of the video through Brazilian courts.What is Google’s argument?
Google claims that Brazilian judicial decisions lack jurisdiction to control content available in the United States, referencing First Amendment protections.
AUTOR
Desde 2017, haciendo periodismo aeronáutico. Award-Winning Journalist: Ganador de la edición 2023 de "Periodismo de Altura", otorgado por ALTA. Facts don't care about your feelings.
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