Women celebrities victimized by hackers who have stolen their nude photos and published them online over the past few weeks came with a new strategy. Now the victimized celebs are blaming Google for not removing the photos from their database instantly.
A prominent California lawyer who is defending the celebs, has sent Google a notice on behalf of victims against the company’s failure in removing the leaked photos, and threatening a $100 million lawsuit.
“Google is making millions and profiting from the victimization of women,” accused the letter from lawyer Martin Singer. “Google’s ‘Don’t be evil’ motto is a sham.”
Google not only failed to remove the images quickly when asked, but also “knowingly” accommodated, facilitated and perpetuated the unlawful conduct by hackers, Singer wrote. “As a result of your blatantly unethical behavior, Google is exposed to significant liability and both compensatory and punitive damages in excess of $100 million.”
“This is unconscionable,” he says, especially for a company like Google that boasts its conduct meets highest ethical business standards. “The seriousness of this matter cannot be overstated.”
Singer, never known as a legal wallflower, waxes equal parts eloquent and outraged in the four-page letter.
“If your wives, daughters or relatives were the victims of such blatant violations of basic human rights, surely you would take appropriate action,” he says in the letter. “But because the victims are celebrities with valuable publicity rights, you do nothing — nothing but collect millions of dollars in advertising revenue from your co-conspirator advertising partners as you seek to capitalize on this scandal rather than quash it.
“Like the NFL, which turned a blind eye while its players assaulted and victimized women and children, Google has turned a blind eye while its sites repeatedly exploit and victimize these women.”
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