A French data regulator is asking for more powers to remove out-of-date or embarrassing content from the web. This effectively turns the ‘right to be forgotten’ rule into a censorship tool.
In the latest ECJ case to be heard in Luxembourg on Tuesday, the French data regulator is seeking to extend that power so that it applies universally. That would permit national regulators to hide articles deemed unacceptable not only from their own cyberspace such as google.fr, but also from global domains including google-com and from those of other countries.
Google of course is resisting this, saying it would create a precedent for authoritarian governments to limit free speech. We don’t need a Ministry of Truth, thanks.
Check It Out: How to Use ‘Right to be Forgotten’ as a Censorship Tool
Like I’ve said, the right to be forgotten is a really good idea, implemented really poorly in the EU (as are most things). But big credit to them to having the right idea. Problem is you need smart people to come up with the regulations and your choices are usually self interested industry devils, or idiot communist bureaucrats, and nothing in between.