YouTube banned from Brazil

Filed in archive Latin News on January 5, 2007

This is unbelievable... if you're not Brazilian. Sadly, we're used to all sort of stupid things coming from the Legislative, specially about Internet related issues. These folks know nothing about it, and they think it can be controlled as any other communication media.

The latest decision from "Bizarre Legislative" is ordering the cease of all YouTube services in Brazil. Why?

Well, a while a go, we had the "Daniela Cicarelli Scandal". The model (Soccer player ronaldo's ex-wife) was caught on video, getting busy (really busy) with her boyfriend, at a Spanish beach. Obviously, the video was in YouTube (and all video sharing services) in no time, and it spread on sites and blogs like a virus.

She didn't like it (wouldn't it be wiser having thought about that, before getting busy at a public place?), and started to file suits against a large number of the sites where the video could be find. The Court accepted the lawsuits, and determined that the sites should remove the video in 24 hours, or pay a US$116.000/day fine.

YouTube removed the video as required... but people kept uploading it again. That's the reason Justice wants to ban YouTube services from Brazil.

I don't know how that could even be possible, but, as usual, Judges don't give a rat's ass. They think it's as easier as say "Because I say so". But, what I'm really worried about, is how easily they've discarded the common sense, and the notion of the reality of the world where we live.

The thing is, Daniela made a mistake. If you're having sex on a public place, you don't have the right to claim privacy. It's your choice, and you have to accept the consequences. What gives you the right to sue people based on your own negligence?

Besides, YouTube did what was requested. But the very nature of their service, makes impossible for them to maintain the video out. And common sense sais that's also impossible to completely ban the service on the entire country. How they think it could be done? Oh, please. Give me a break.

Source: The Jungle Book - Where no China has gone before: Brazil bans YouTube