Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, has scored a significant victory in his ongoing legal battle against YouTube. A recent appeals court verdict overturned a lower court decision, holding YouTube accountable for its role in a Bitcoin scam that exploited Wozniak’s likeness.
The lawsuit stemmed from doctored videos circulated on YouTube in 2020. These videos deceptively featured Wozniak supposedly endorsing a Bitcoin giveaway scheme. Viewers were lured into sending cryptocurrency with the promise of receiving double the amount back – a classic scam tactic.
Wozniak, along with other alleged victims of the scam, argued that YouTube failed to take down these misleading videos despite repeated reports. They further claimed that YouTube’s targeted advertising practices likely boosted the reach of these fraudulent videos, potentially generating profit for the platform.
The initial court case sided with YouTube, citing a communications law that shields platforms from responsibility for user-generated content. However, the appeals court disagreed. Their decision paves the way for further legal action against YouTube, potentially forcing the platform to implement stricter content moderation policies to prevent similar scams from targeting users.
This verdict has important implications beyond the Wozniak case. It sets a precedent for holding online platforms accountable for content that misuses celebrities’ likenesses or promotes fraudulent activities. The decision could also influence how these platforms handle user-generated content and the level of responsibility they have in preventing the spread of misinformation and scams.
While the final outcome remains to be seen, Wozniak’s victory marks a turning point in the fight against online scams and highlights the potential legal vulnerabilities of online platforms regarding user-generated content.
