'Bankrupt' Australian Surgeon Sues Google For Auto-Complete 305
An anonymous reader writes "Australian surgeon Guy Hingston is suing Google in the U.S. for 'auto-complete' defamation. Typing in his name brings up 'Guy Hingston bankrupt' in the auto-complete. The association seems to have come about because Hingston purchased an aviation group CoastJet which went bankrupt two-and-a-half years later. Hingston himself was also bankrupted. Hingston claims this association has cost him customers and is suing Google for $75k, plus court costs. Google has often found itself the target of litigation over auto-complete searches. Are auto-complete results even useful? Should Google be policing the auto-complete suggestions?"
Slander and libel (Score:5, Funny)
I don't see how it's either, since auto-complete is based on what people are entering as search terms. It's the result of an algorithm, not a human. Algorithms have no sense of morality, they just do what they're told. You might as well say a car slandered you for backfiring as it drove by. Also... he doesn't own an exclusive right to the name 'Guy Hingston'.
In short, Mr. Hingston -- screw you. Also... Guy Hingston Bankrupt Guy Hingston Bankrupt Guy Hingston Bankrupt. I hope you do for having such a piss-poor understanding of the internet.
Re:Libel? (Score:5, Funny)
He shouldn't complain. It's better than "Hingston mutant genetic sandwich"
Let's help the poor guy! (Score:5, Funny)
OK, everybody, it's time to help him out here. Google for "Guy Hingston pumpkin fucker" until the association between Guy Hingston and bankrupt goes away!
Re:Better idea (Score:5, Funny)
Even better idea: get his name associated with porn, then google automatically disables auto-complete. (Try typing in the name of a porn star and you'll see.)
Seriously, he just needs to start a good free porn site with his name, put out some press releases, buy a few ads in the mainstream media, then everybody will google "Guy Hingston porn" and his problem will go away.
Re:SEO gone wild (Score:5, Funny)
As a surgeon, does he really think it's a good idea to replace the "Guy Hingston bankrupt" autocomplete with "Guy Hingston lawsuit"?
Well, bear in mind that this is a guy who's basically called up the national media and proclaimed, 'I Google myself!'
Re:Let's help the poor guy! (Score:4, Funny)
Wow, your post shows up as the first search result. Congrats!
Re:Well... (Score:4, Funny)
He obviously has too much money left and he wants to waste it on lawyers so that he can go bankrupt again...
Re:Quoting (Score:5, Funny)
Apparently you missed his username.
Re:Well... (Score:2, Funny)
Damn. That effin' Google really is evil.