Google ordered to remove anti-Islamic film from YouTube

A United States (US) appeals court on Wednesday ordered Google Inc to remove from its YouTube video-sharing website an anti-Islamic film that had sparked protests across the Muslim world.

The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Google’s claim removing the film would constitute a prior restraint of speech in violation of the US Constitution.

For many Muslims, any depiction of the prophet is considered blasphemous.

Google said in a statement it strongly disagreed with the ruling and would challenge it.

Twenty countries (Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Brunei, Djibouti, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Maldives, Malaysia, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and the United States) asked Google to remove the movie trailer, arguing they violated guidelines.

Due to the numerous requests Google restricted the viewing of the video in nine countries: Indonesia, India, Jordan, Malaysia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Turkey. It is also temporarily restricted in some other countries.