Viacom agrees to YouTube privacy deal

YouTube users can breathe a little easier following a new deal with Viacom

Google and Viacom have reached an agreement to omit user information from a YouTube log which the search giant has been forced to hand over.

The agreement means that Viacom will not be able to see precisely which videos have been accessed by each viewer, nor will it be able to see a specific user's viewing history.

Additionally, all users' IP addresses and visitor ID information will be removed from the list.

The agreement will allay fears that the logs would be used to pursue individual cases against users who had uploaded or shared pirated content.

Earlier this month, a judge ordered YouTube to hand over the huge log file as evidence in the company's ongoing copyright case against studios and broadcasting companies which also includes the English and Scottish Premiere Leagues and the National Music Publishers Association.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation said that, while the agreement will reduce privacy concerns in the case, the matter is not fully settled yet.

"This stipulation between Viacom and Google voluntarily narrowing the scope of the discovery order, while a very useful first step, does not fully resolve these concerns," said EFF senior staff attorney Kurt Opsahl.

"It leaves the court's order on the books, and can be changed by a new agreement between the parties.

"The strength of this agreement depends on the users trusting the litigants not to change the agreement later."