Lawyers for some of the celebrities whose private photos were released by hackers are threatening to sue Google on behalf of unnamed clients for $100 million (€79 million) over the search firm’s failure to remove the images from its index.
Entertainment lawyer Martin Singer, who has previously represented director Bryan Singer, actor John Travolta and comedian Charlie Sheen, has reportedly written to Google demanding that the company pay up for its "blatantly unethical behaviour".
In the letter, seen by the New York Post's Page Six, Singer reportedly accuses Google of failing "to act expeditiously and responsibly to remove the images" and of "knowingly accommodating, facilitating, and perpetuating the unlawful conduct".
Page Six reports that Singer accuses Google of “making millions and profiting from the victimisation of women.”
“Google knows the images are hacked stolen property, private and confidential photos and videos unlawfully obtained and posted by pervert predators who are violating the victims’ privacy rights,” the reported letter continues, “yet Google has taken little or no action to stop these outrageous violations.”
Singer’s letter, sent on behalf of his unnamed clients, claims he sent a notice to Google to remove the images four weeks ago but that many were still available on Google sites such as BlogSpot.
He continues by saying to Google that “because the victims are celebrities with valuable publicity rights you do nothing – nothing but collect millions of dollars in advertising revenue – as you seek to capitalise on this scandal rather than quash it”.”
Google was unable to comment on Singer’s letter at the time of publication.
– (Guardian service)