Marcelo Thompson

Rumor has it that Google is being sued (again) in Brazil. This time the issue is less serious, though not necessarily less, say, “sturdy”.

Preta Gil, a fairly famous Brazilian singer and actress who also comes to be the daughter of our very Minister of Culture (and Sound!), Gilberto Gil, is very upset that, when one searches for “fat actress” (atriz gorda) in the Images section of Google.com.br, the search engine suggests: “Also try: Preta Gil” (Experimente também: Preta Gil).

The result may be being prompted by bad taste from Google, by “Google Bombing” techniques, or (more likely) by the sheer fact that Miss Gil’s few extra stones tend to receive reasonable attention from the media in Brazil (especially after she appeared in a state of nature in the booklet of one of her CDs).

But be Google’s suggestion tendentious or not, it will be interesting to follow whether Google will keep the state of affairs or intervene — as it did in other cases.

Anyhow, if it does intervene (or even if it does not?), this will be merely one additional proof that, in Google’s world, neutrality is only a good for others.

Update: in the .com version the victim is Kirstie Alley (due to the sitcom or not).