Google warns of ‘devastating’ impact if court ruling on defamatory hyperlinks not overturned

Tech company says it will be forced to censor' search results if $40,000 damages win for Melbourne solicitor is allowed to stand

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Google has warned of a devastating" impact on the internet if a court ruling that the search giant is liable for defamatory material contained in hyperlinked pages is not overturned.

Google warned in a submission to the high court it will be forced to censor" its search results if a $40,000 defamation damages award to George Defteros, a solicitor who represented Melbourne gangland figures, is allowed to stand.

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