You may have read in the news recently that the European Courts Of Justice have ruled that people should be allowed to ask Google to ‘forget them.’ This means deleting links to information an individual does not want to be associated with that is considered ‘irrelevant’ and ‘outdated.’
The is actually an interesting issue for political philosophers as rather than the usual struggle between the state and the individual, it is a fight between the state, the company and the individual. Who’s freedom is more important? Google’s or the individual’s? The person or the people?
A WORRIED STUDENT 
in terms of freedom, definitely the individual. big companies get enough freedom, often it seems that they live by there own rules
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That’s true but aren’t companies made of individuals? What about the issue of freedom of information? In this case it is interesting as the individual isn’t seeking information, he is trying to conceal it.
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Freedom of information,in my opinion, when its about the individual themselves then they have the right to withdraw it. I guess it depends on the kind of information and how it is handled/interpreted. But, a very interesting and complex topic indeed
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Yes that’s true. If it was some embarassing photos or something that has unnecessarily harmed the reputation of a person then I guess it should be removed. The problems occur when its people like politicians or paedophiles, as the BBC website reports, who request information regarding themselves should be removed.
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I think that’s where the issue lies, when it comes to things like (eg illegal) activities of anyone but more so those with a higher profile. But I think that if information was able to be removed, there would end up being no Google!
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Haha exactly! Google’s entire existence is based on linking information but it has to deal with requests to remove links, it’ll cease to exist!
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Is crazy to think of a life without Google!
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Haha indeed!
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In all honesty, if they don’t want to be associated with it they shouldn’t have done it. They should be able to own up to things they’ve done in the past or present, whether it be good or bad. In comparison it’s like they’re asking for a pardon for a crime they’ve committed, ya know?
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Yes that’s what I thought it sounded like. In a way, they are asking for forgiveness. This would of course raise the same issues a jury faces. Are they serious or are they simply doing it to cover their tracks?
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Yes, exactly. That’s my thought process as well. I don’t see why someone would want to be basically taken away all association with something unless it was something they want to cover up/
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So if they do want cover it up, they should not be allowed to?
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In my honest, and probably harsh, opinion I think they should have to face what they did like a grown, responsible, mature person. If you couldn’t own up to it, you shouldn’t have done it. That’s my philosophy.
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Haha well yes that is a good opinion I think. If they were truly sorry and had some harsh information about them on the internet however, then I would feel a bit sorry for them.
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lol maybe I’m heartless that way. 😉 I know there’s dirt out there on me that people can drudge up.
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from a journalism prospective I think freedom of information. People need to think before doing or posting certain things in the first place. Chances are if someones changed something from their past wont matter as much anyway, but still people have the right to know.
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That sounds right to me. The only reason people should be able to request information to be taken down is it is something false otherwise yes as you said, people need to take responsibility over their actions.
If not, then criminals may start claiming thst articles to the crimes they have committed should be removed after a few years!
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People make mistakes and do stupid stuff, unless they have harmed someone with their actions than they shouldn’t have to pay for it forever, for example there is actually a website where you can post nude pics and videos of your ex, give names and all. Some of the people on this site were having private moments with their husbands and so on. And Its just not right, that could really damage their careers and their life.
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This is an excellent and often ignored point you make as it gets lost under people claiming freedom of information is most important.
I agree, it would be terrible for such things to remain online forever and so people who have been affected in such a way should definitely have the right to request its removal.
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I agree when it comes to that. Those type of images should be taken down if requested. I just think anything from a credible source should stay, unless its proven inaccurate.
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Reblogged this on THE OBJECTIVE NIGERIAN and commented:
Our right or googles right?
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Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Reblogged this on Opinionated Duck and commented:
The People’s Right VS. Google’s Rights: Join the conversation over at A Worried Student.
This is such an interesting and, indeed, complex issue. I think it’s really worth going over and joining in the discussion, or at least having a look at what others are having to say.
“Who’s freedom is more important? Google’s or the individual’s? The person or the people?”
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Thanks for sharing 🙂
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