Googles Opaque New Policy Lets Rightsholders Dictate Search ResultsEFF We wish we had some more details to illustrate just what that means, but unfortunately the process is pretty opaque. What we know: sites that have a high number of removal notices of takedown notices that result in actual takedowns will show up lower in some search results, though they will not be removed. What we dont know: what is a high number? How does Google plan to make these determinations? Oh, and one other thing we do know, one that is particularly troubling: there will be no process or recourse for sites who have been demoted. In particular, we worry about the false positives problem. For example, weve seen the government wrongly target sites that actually have a right to post the allegedly infringing material in question or otherwise legally display content. In short, without details on how Googles process works, we have no reason to believe they wont make similar, over-inclusive mistakes, dropping lawful, relevant speech lower in its search results without recourse for the speakers. Of course, Google is not seizing domain names, as the government does. And its not removing sites from its search results altogether at copyright owners request, as SOPA would have required. To its credit, Google says that it will respect counter-notices, and wont demote results based on takedowns that are rightfully disputed. But this is little comfort. Googles opaque policies not only threaten lawful sites, but they undermine our confidence in its search results. You can support this information by voting on Reddit HERE Please support the Electronic Frontier Foundation for Internet privacy and freedom. 