Cached info on Google

[itcheh]

I was asked a question today ... and for once I didn't have a clue:

"If a company website allows visitors to post comments, and a visitor posts a particularly dangerous comment ... but that page is cached by Google before the company has a chance to remove it ... and individuals can find that page by searching through Google ... can the company be sued?"

Clearly you can add all sorts of terms and conditions to a website "The content and opinions expressed on this Web page do not necessarily reflect the views of nor are they endorsed by xxx etc" ... but is this enough to protect the company?

Are there any lawyers in the House?

 

[Will]

I'm not a lawyer, but I'd assume no. The information is held on the google cache, not hosted by the company. Also, UK law assumes that a company will remove anything potentially libellous when brought to their attention. As soon as it is removed from your site, you are no longer responsible for it. The google cache is googles responsibility.

 

[DaGaffer]

I'm not a lawyer, but I'd assume no. The information is held on the google cache, not hosted by the company. Also, UK law assumes that a company will remove anything potentially libellous when brought to their attention. As soon as it is removed from your site, you are no longer responsible for it. The google cache is googles responsibility.

Correct. The test would be "has the company taken reasonable endeavours to remove the offending material?" If they've done everything that's in their control, then they're safe.

 

[Draylor]

You could pay a lawyer for an official answer, or you could resort to arse covering and prevent Google from caching the pages concerned.

See Webmaster Help Center - Prevent or remove cached pages