FIFA and Google head to court
FIFA has taken legal action against Google in the Swiss courts. The defamation complaint targets a website.
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It is a case that highlights the growing tensions between big tech companies and international institutions. It all starts with a little-known website that allegedly published serious accusations against FIFA and its president, Gianni Infantino. Although the site is hard to find, and does not even appear in the first ten pages of results on a Google search, football's world governing body believes its mere presence damages its reputation. It has therefore decided to take the internet giant to court, asking for the site to be removed from search results.
The legal action was filed in Switzerland, a strategic choice for FIFA, as the country has stricter defamation laws than other jurisdictions. In Switzerland, liability for defamation can extend to platforms that facilitate the spread of defamatory content, which is precisely the argument FIFA is making against Google.
For its part, Google rejects the accusations, arguing that it has no control over the content of the websites it indexes and is not responsible for the accuracy of information published by third parties. Google also points out that the site in question is not easily accessible through a standard search, which, according to the company, minimises the potential impact on FIFA's reputation.
A trial that could set a dangerous precedent?
The outcome of this case could have significant repercussions, not only for Google, but also for how search engines and digital platforms in general handle content removal requests. If FIFA wins, it could set a precedent allowing other organisations to sue Google or other search engines over similar content, which could ultimately restrict freedom of expression on the internet.
The case also sits within a wider context of challenges against Google, notably in the United States, where the company is accused of maintaining an illegal monopoly in the online search market. A ruling in FIFA's favour could weaken Google's position even further, already undermined by antitrust proceedings.
With the case only just getting under way, there is as yet no clear timetable for a verdict. However, the potential consequences make it one to watch closely, for legal experts and digital businesses around the world alike. In seeking to protect its image, FIFA could well rewrite the rules of the game for the tech giants.