Google is Now Being Sued For Apple's 'Nudegate' iCloud Hack Scandal

[dgstorm]

For those few who may have missed it, there was a big scandal across the web last month that had a couple of names like "nudegate" and "the fappening." Basically, Apple's iCloud was hacked and a large number of private nude pics of various female celebrities leaked on Reddit. These pics included various celebrities like Kate Upton, Rihanna, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Lawrence and many more.

This was obviously a black eye on Apple's security. Although Apple claimed that the breach wasn't their fault, it turns out the reason the pics were hacked was because iCloud security doesn't have a limit to the number of incorrect password attempts you can make to log into an account. This left it susceptible to a "brute force" attack where thousands of passwords could be randomly generated until one matched.

You would think that the celebrities would be up in arms and attack Apple for this major security breach, and although that might be partially true, it seems that Google is actually the biggest target of their ire. A Hollywood lawyer named Marty Singer now represents more than a dozen of the celebrities whose pics were stolen and leaked, but he isn't suing Apple, he's suing Google.

The lawsuit claims that Google has not responded to several take down requests to remove the pics and videos. Supposedly there are still many images on Google sites BlogSpot and YouTube which have not been removed. He is asking for $100 Million in damages and claims that Google has done nothing but sit back and profit from the advertising revenue generated from the leaked nude pics.

Singer sent a letter to Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, as well as executive Eric Schmidt and Google lawyers. Here is a quote with more of the details,

The letter, exclusively seen by Page Six, claims Google has failed “to act expeditiously, and responsibly to remove the images, but in knowingly accommodating, facilitating, and perpetuating the unlawful conduct. Google is making millions and profiting from the victimization of women.”

Singer writes that Lavely & Singer sent a notice to remove images four weeks ago, and a dozen more since, but many of the images are still on Google sites BlogSpot and YouTube.

Singer adds, “Google knows the images are hacked stolen property, private and confidential photos and videos unlawfully obtained and posted by pervert predators who are violating the victims’ privacy rights … Yet Google has taken little or no action to stop these outrageous violations.”

The letter continues, “Because the victims are celebrities with valuable publicity rights you do nothing — nothing but collect millions of dollars in advertising revenue … as you seek to capitalize on this scandal rather than quash it. Like the NFL, which turned a blind eye while its players assaulted and victimized women and children, Google has turned a blind eye while its sites repeatedly exploit and victimize these women.”

It will be interesting to see how Google responds to this, and to find out all of the facts. It's entirely possible that Google has attempted to comply with the takedown requests, but has simply been overwhelmed finding them all.

Regardless, it seems ridiculous to go after Google for not being able to stop all of the pics, when it was Apple's lax security that caused the issue to begin with. If anyone is negligent it was Apple. Share your perspective.

Source: PageSix

 

[cr6]

Don't really have an opinion on this, but do find it amusing that SnoopDogg is now part owner of Redditt, where all these pictures where originally released.

tap'n on my S5

 

[xeene]

What a bunch of idiots. Ok Google will remove anything related to nudity and celebrity, which would be called censorship similar to communist China and other countries. But still it will always be there. Once it's out on the net, there is no letting cat back inside. Just go to any torrent site and see for yourself. BTW, more leaks are being released EVERY day. Got to love apple lol.

 

[LoneWolfArcher]

Apple Fanboys blaming everybody except Apple? I, for one, am shocked.

 

[johnomaz]

Um, welcome to the internet lawyer and celebrities. Although the lawyer already knows it, hes just in it for the money.

 

[tech_head]

It wasn't that iCloud was hacked, it was those specific accounts using a combination of intelligent guessing and brute force. Maiden names, etc...

Set up your security questions better and don't use public information for answers.
Oh and here is something else......
Stop taking naked pictures and storing them in the cloud.. DOH!

The epic fail here is on the part of those who put their most intimate information in the cloud.
They should also know, there is no possible way to honor all the take down requests.
Even if they use metadata on the original photo. Metadata and watermarks can be modified.

Once on the net..... Always on the net..... Forever and ever and ever and ever..................

 

[UrbanBounca]

Regardless of whose being sued, Kim Kardashian and Kaley Cuoco are gorgeous.

 

[dgstorm]

Google sent a minor response to this which you can read in the "update" section of this Yahoo story: Google Responds To 100M Lawsuit Threat Over Hacked Celeb Photos We ve Removed Tens Of Thousands Of Pictures UPDATE - Yahoo Celebrity

It's just as I suspected... Google has been working diligently to combat the problem, but it is like trying to stop a tidal wave with a spoon.

 

[popcenator]

Ridiculous...absolutely ridiculous..

 

[liftedplane]

Regardless of whose being sued, Kim Kardashian and Kaley Cuoco are gorgeous.

Amber Heard and some of the others for sure! sue google, a very interesting tactic.

 

[Ollie]

This will not stick. Shame on them for picking on the big guy.

 

[mountainbikermark]

This will not stick. Shame on them for picking on the big guy.

I'm sure the lawyers are counting on an out of court settlement, typical of ambulance chasers. They'll get their 33-50% of the pie, Hollyweird will stay Hollyweird, Google will make up the loss in a matter of days if that long.

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