Anna Heim writes:
Google wants to force people to use their real names online, say many Google+ detractors. Yet, it’s precisely for defending three bloggers’ right to anonymity that its Brazilian subsidiary was fined this Thursday by a local judge.
[…]
It all started at the beginning of the year, when Varzea Alegre’s mayor sued Google Brasil, asking for the company to remove three anonymous blogs accusing him of corruption and embezzlement. In February, a local judge ordered Google’s subsidiary to close these blogs and provide contact details for their authors. Arguing that its role was limited to hosting and citing freedom of information, Google Brasil didn’t comply, which led the judge to order a US$3100 daily fine in May. Again, Google Brasil refused to pay and reveal the bloggers’ identity, which led to a new sentence this week, although it can still appeal.
Read more on The Next Web.