Some very interesting legal news in today’s Reputation Management, Internet Privacy, and Social Media Quick Hits. Could an Italian court decision swing the way Internet companies think about privacy and cyberbullying? Check it out below.

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Three Google Executives Convicted of Privacy Violations in Italian Court

According to an AP article, an Italian court has convicted three Google executives of privacy violations Wednesday “because they did not act quickly enough to remove an online video that showed sadistic teen bullies pummeling and mocking an autistic boy.” The Google executives are “astonished” by the decision, which is the first of its kind anywhere in the world.

In the United States, section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 generally protects websites and Internet service providers from criminal liability for content posted online. Because there is no such law in Europe, however, this decision could establish a very significant precedent if it is not overturned by another court.

Google Faces Antitrust Complaints in Europe

In addition to Google’s stunning conviction in Italian criminal court, the company is facing problems elsewhere in Europe. According to this article from PC World, three Internet companies have filed complaints with the European Commission alleging Google’s anti-competitive behavior. Antitrust complaints and criminal convictions in one week? Bad luck for Google.

Yahoo Rolls Twitter Into Search Updates

Yahoo has joined Bing and Google by incorporating Twitter updates into its primary search experience. As explained in this article from PC World, however, Yahoo’s late arrival doesn’t mean that the company’s Twitter integration could be any less successful than Google or its primary search partner Bing. In fact, because using social data in search is such a new concept, nobody has quite figured out the best way to do it yet. Perhaps if Yahoo and Bing puzzle out the best way to combine their powers, they could take even more market share from Google.

Can You Go One Week Without Google?

One CNET reporter attempted to do the impossible: Go one whole week without using Google products. Did he experience a virtual death? Did his work and personal life come crashing all around him? As it turns out, Tom Krazit did perfectly well without using Google. After making a few adjustments, he simply carried on with his routine. So take note Google haters, it is possible to live a Google-free life after all.

Australian Government Calls on Facebook for Explanation Over Cyber Harassment

The Australian Government has called on Facebook to remove disturbing images and messages that were left on memorial pages to two school-aged murder victims. According to reports, the sites were hijacked maliciously, allowing cyberbullies to leave pornography and other hurtful content the page. While Facebook has taken action the remove the content in question, the Australian government wants answers from company executives on why there was a breakdown in the site’s security and what allowed hijackers to take control of the memorial pages.