Google Refuses to Turn Over YouTube User Info to Viacom

NEW YORK — Defying a July 7 order by a federal judge, Google has yet to turn over YouTube user information to Viacom as a part of a $1 billion lawsuit alleging that Viacom's copyrights are being infringed by material posted on YouTube.

The dispute hinges on the privacy of YouTube's users. The judge ordered the video-sharing giant to turn over usernames, IP addresses and a massive database of user activity, along with similar information about the uploading activity of its own employees.

Google balked at the order, instead trying to cut a deal that would mask the data in such a way as to protect users' privacy. Viacom claimed to have proposed a similar plan, even though the judge's order included no such stipulation.

"Viacom and other plaintiffs never should have demanded private viewing data in the first place," a Google spokesman said. "They should have agreed a week ago to let us anonymize it. We are willing to discuss the disclosure of viewing activity of all the relevant parties. But the simple issue of protecting user information should be resolved now. Our users' privacy should not be held hostage to advance the plaintiffs' additional litigation interests."

The judge's order alarmed privacy advocates. Online guru Brandon "Fight The Patent" told XBIZ that decisions like these may have a chilling effect on video-sharing sites.

"Besides just getting a list of people who uploaded [copyrighted content], [Viacom] is also getting the usernames of those that watched those videos."

Greg Sandoval of CNET News said that the case may hinge on whether Google can keep the activity of its YouTube employees secret.

"It could go a long way to proving how much knowledge YouTube has about piracy on the site," he said. "If YouTube employees knew what was uploaded to the site or posted pirated clips themselves —YouTube could lose its protection under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act."

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Ukrainian Content Creators on Hook for Nearly $10M in Back Taxes

Content creators in Ukraine owe the equivalent of $9.3 million in back taxes, according to the country's State Tax Service.

Eroutique Relaunches Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Eroutique has relaunched its official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Update: Pornhub Will Not Block Ohio, Despite AV Law

Pornhub parent company Aylo will not block access to its websites in Ohio, despite new state age verification rules that came into effect Sept. 30.

Pineapple Support, Pornhub to Host 'ADHD-Friendly' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Pornhub are hosting a free online support group for performers with ADHD.

Judge Dismisses Some Claims in 'Children of Pornhub' Trafficking Suit

A United States district judge on Friday dismissed some but not all claims against Aylo in a long-running case involving CSAM allegations featured in the influential 2020 New York Times article “The Children of Pornhub.”

FSC Sets Key Dates, Qualifiers for December Board of Directors Election

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) today announced key dates and qualifiers for its upcoming Board of Directors election.

RedGIFs Launches New 'Studio' Creator Platform

RedGIFs has launched its new Studio creator platform.

Arcom to Expand AV Enforcement to Smaller Adult Sites

The president of French media regulator Arcom revealed on Thursday that the agency plans to escalate its enforcement of age verification rules to include smaller adult sites, starting in late 2025 or early 2026.

AEBN Publishes Report on MILF, Cougar Trends

AEBN has published a report on MILF and Cougar categories from its straight theaters.

Pornhub to Shut Down Access in Arizona Over Age Verification

Aylo will geoblock Pornhub across Arizona starting Sept. 26, when the state’s age verification law, HB 2112, goes into effect.

Show More