Google Sends Virus to 50,000 Blog Subscribers
According to Silicon.com, Google sent out an email to 50,000 subscribers of the Google Video Blog containing the W32/Kapser.A@mm virus, better known as the ‘Kama Sutra’ virus. This virus raised some concern in February when it began to appear in the wild, often disguised as pornographic materials. It works by waiting with no side effects, until a specific date and time arrives when it overwrites key system files.
Later, a note was posted to the Google Video Blog saying, “Some of these posts may have contained a virus called W32/Kapser.A@mm - a mass-mailing worm.” Further, Google has suggested that readers run antivirus programs to remove the virus from their systems.
I wonder if Google is at some type of liability as a result of this incident. I can just see somebody suing Google for a massive virus infection soon!
There wouldn’t be an liability.
It’s the same thing as a virus going out on a mailing list, or of a co-worker/friend sending you a virus. The onus is on you to scan your own email.
I would place this in the same category as people suing McDonalds because their coffee is too hot.
I would argue that it is the people’s responsibility to look at the temperature of their coffee prior to drinking it, just as you are arguing that it is people’s responsibility to scan their email.
The McDonalds people got away with it to the tune of a couple million - what is to stop someone pursuing something against Google because of this?
I mean, logically, you are right - the onus should be on people. But the courts wouldn’t necessarily agree.