Celebs Threaten Huge Suit Against Google Over Stolen Photos

Attorney likens company to NFL in Ray Rice case, says $100M case possible
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 2, 2014 6:03 PM CDT
Celebs Threaten Huge Suit Against Google Over Stolen Photos
Jennifer Lawrence poses for photographers in Cannes in this May file photo.   (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)

A scathing letter from an attorney on behalf of celebs whose nude photos were stolen threatens Google with a $100 million lawsuit unless it gets more aggressive in keeping the photos off the Internet, reports the Hollywood Reporter. Among the jabs in the letter written by high-profile attorney Marty Singer: "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." It adds that the company's "Don't Be Evil" motto "is a sham."

In a statement to USA Today, Google says it has "removed tens of thousands of pictures—within hours of the requests being made—and we have closed hundreds of accounts." But Singer's letter maintains that Google is still allowing the photos to be circulated at places such as Blog Spot and YouTube. The FBI is investigating the hack, but no progress has been reported. (Kim Kardashian was among the victims in the most recent leak of private photos.)

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