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Thai junta asks Google and Youtube to remove royal 'insults' Thai junta asks Google and YouTube to remove royal 'insults'
(about 2 hours later)
Thailand has sent a high-level delegation to meet with Google to push the company to remove any content that defames the royal family, a criminal offence in the south-east Asian nation. Thailand has sent a high-level delegation to meet Google to push the company to remove any content that defames the royal family, a criminal offence in the south-east Asian country.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej died on 13 October, aged 88, ending seven decades on the throne. At a time of focused discussion on royal affairs, strict lèse-majesté laws mean people deemed to have offended the monarchy can face years in jail. King Bhumibol Adulyadej died on 13 October, aged 88, after seven decades on the throne. At a time of focused discussion on royal affairs, lèse-majesté laws mean people deemed to have offended the monarchy can face years in jail.
Deputy Prime Minister Prajin Juntong said he met with Google representatives in Bangkok on Friday and added that the company affirmed it would help the government remove videos from YouTube, a Google subsidiary. The deputy prime minister said he met Google representatives in Bangkok on Friday and added that the company affirmed it would help the government remove videos from YouTube, a Google subsidiary.
“If any website is inappropriate they said to get in touch with them and inform them of the URL and the time the content was found,” Prajin told journalists. “If any website is inappropriate they said to get in touch with them and inform them of the URL and the time the content was found,” Prajin Juntong told journalists.
However, Google said that this conforms with its global practices. Google said this conformed with its global practices. “We have always had clear and consistent policies for removal requests from governments around the world. We have not changed those policies in Thailand,” the company said in a statement emailed to the Guardian.
“We have always had clear and consistent policies for removal requests from governments around the world and we continue to operate in line with those policies,” a Google spokesperson told Reuters. “We rely on governments around the world to notify us of content that they believe is illegal through official processes, and will restrict it as appropriate after a thorough review.”
“When we are notified of content that is illegal through official processes, we will restrict it in the country where it’s illegal after a thorough review.” Google’s terms of service say it may remove or refuse to display content it “reasonably believe[s]” violates the law, providing the company with a measure of control.
Google’s terms of service says it may remove or refuse to display content that it “reasonably believe[s]” violates the law, providing the company with a measure of control. Sensitivity around the reputation of the monarchy is at an all-time high in Thailand and the government has been under pressure from ultra-royalists to show it is upholding the reputation of the monarchy.
Sensitivity around the reputation of the monarchy is at an all-time high in Thailand and the government has been under pressure from ultra-royalists to show it is upholding the reputation the monarchy.
Authorities have announced a 30-day mourning period during which people are expected to wear black or dark clothing.Authorities have announced a 30-day mourning period during which people are expected to wear black or dark clothing.
Companies have also sought to show solidarity with national anguish. Both Google and YouTube in Thailand have changed their online logos to black. Companies have also sought to show solidarity with national anguish and Google and YouTube in Thailand have changed their online logos to black.
Google in Thailand today. pic.twitter.com/HQ3511PdmbGoogle in Thailand today. pic.twitter.com/HQ3511Pdmb
The visit by top officials to Google will be seen as an attempt to publicly appease people who want a renewed crackdown on royal defamation. The visit by senior officials to Google will be seen as an attempt to publicly appease people who want a renewed crackdown on royal defamation.
However, Google and YouTube searches on Monday appeared to still show online content available that is likely in violation of the lèse-majesté laws. However, Google and YouTube searches on Monday appeared to still show online content available that is likely to be in violation of lèse-majesté laws.
The Guardian has approached Google for comment on the Thai requests. Google did not provide the Guardian with specific examples of content removed in Thailand but pointed to its transparency report, a quarterly statement on requests from courts and government to remove content. The latest examples are for 2015.
Rights groups have criticised the use of lèse-majesté laws in Thailand. Rights groups have criticised the country’s lèse-majesté laws.
Last week, the justice minister said Thai people should “socially sanction” those who defame the monarchy. A Thai woman accused of insulting the late king on social media was forced to kneel before his portrait outside a police station in front of jeering crowds.Last week, the justice minister said Thai people should “socially sanction” those who defame the monarchy. A Thai woman accused of insulting the late king on social media was forced to kneel before his portrait outside a police station in front of jeering crowds.
Reuters contributed to this report Reuters contributed to this report.