Tanáiste Takes Legal Action Against Google To Unmask Scammers Using His Name

Thursday, 7 December 2023 14:15

By Martin Osborne

Aside from where the ads came from, the Tanáiste also wants to know how they were paid for.

The Tanáiste says he believes there is a strong public interest in revealing the identities of those behind a scam which used his name to sell financial products online.

Micheál Martin's sworn statement was opened before the High Court today as he seeks orders to force Google to reveal the wrongdoers.

After Google refused to hand over the information without a court order, the Tanáiste felt he was left with no other option but to bring this legal action
He claims his name and image was used to sell financial products online, without his knowledge or permission.

In an affidavit, he said he believed there is a strong public interest in identifying the wrongdoers in order to hold them legally responsible for the creation and publication of what he described as the “deliberately misleading” material.

Aside from that, he said it would deter further attempts at spreading online misinformation by persons who believe their anonymity provides them with immunity from legal consequence.

Aside from where the ads came from, the Tanáiste also wants to know how they were paid for.

Google will be notified of the orders he seeks, and the matter will be back in court this day week.

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