Do you know Orkut?

No, not that social network, but its creator: Orkut Buyukkokten, 32 years old.

He created the most popular social network in Brazil, and during his visit to the South American country, Orkut realized he is a celebrity there. People recognized him at streets.

But, the fact is that Orkut brings more problems than solutions to Google. The social network, not its creator.

“Social Networks are a reflection of the society” says Orkut. “And you can find good and bad people in society”.

Google had some problems in the past with Brazilians authorities for the successively refusing to hand over user information associated with Orkut. The social network, not its creator.

Orkut has 49,2 million users, 27,5 million in Brazil. And also several problems: Between January and April 2006, SaferNet Brasil (non-governmental organization) received 9.982 denunciations of child pornography in the Internet, 9.100 against Orkut.

But now, Google are developing tools to increase users privacy and improve its communication with Brazilian authorities about crime cases.

Now, Orkut's next step is find a way to monetize his creation and improve its mechanisms, after all, if social networks are a reflection of the society, it need clear rules like all democratic societies.

Picture: Orkut Buyukkokten visiting Google Brasil via IDG Now! Brasil.

By Renata Vincoletto & Renato Golin

Involved in a series of prosecutions, the company can stop its activities in Brazil in case it is not possible to restrain excesses from Brazilian users or if they not get an agreement with the Brazilian Justice.

52 orders had been opened to release user information from Orkut until today. In its majority, they are cases of pedophilia, racism and hate. Between January and April, SaferNet Brasil (non-governmental organization) received 9.982 denunciations of child pornography in the Internet, 9.100 against Orkut.

Google’s resistance in supplying information comes from the fear of political use of the information. As examples, they had cited China and the Iran, which already had requested this kind of information about people considered against the government.

In case they don’t release this information, they will be charged at least U$100.000 daily, as indemnity for the successively refusing to hand over user information associated with Orkut.

Three questions arise from it:

• First: The way United States faces the third world, as if we couldn't take care of our business on our own.

• Second: Brazil is far from being like China and Iran, ie. military dictatorships. Brazil is a free country and it's only trying to protect itself from problems that the whole world is facing, including US.

• Third: Business is business, but in some countries there are limits. Protect customer's privacy is one thing, protect the worst scum of criminals is completely different. Too bad the Google didn't figure out what "freedom" is all about.

Sources:

Portuguese:
Orkut pode sair do Pais
MP quer que Google pague indenizacao
Comissão denuncia Orkut ao Congresso dos EUA
Google Brasil e Ministerio Publico travam batalha juridica

English:
Google prosecuted in Brazil to hand over user data
Google Brazil Pressured to Give Up Names


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