JAKARTA - Old cases are hitting again with new impacts. Jeffrey Epstein's victims are suing Google and the Donald Trump administration for allegedly spreading sensitive personal data that triggered re-trauma and a wave of harassment.
The class action lawsuit filed in a California federal court alleges that the Department of Justice inadvertently revealed the identities of about 100 victims between late 2025 and early 2026.
Although the data was later withdrawn, the plaintiffs said the impact had already spread widely on the internet - and it was difficult to stop.
AI Becomes a New Spotlight
In the lawsuit, the victim assessed that Google's search system and AI features still display sensitive information, even after attempts to delete it.
They accused AI technology of not only indexing, but also reinforcing the spread of data through automated summaries and search results, so that information remains easily accessible to the public.
As a result, the victims claimed to have received threats, unwanted messages, and false accusations - which exacerbated their psychological condition after the Epstein case.
The lawsuit also attacks the legal protections that digital platforms have enjoyed through Section 230. The plaintiffs argue that AI is not merely a "passive intermediary", but also produces and disseminates harmful content.
The case comes amid growing pressure on tech companies, including Meta and platforms like YouTube, over the real-world impact of digital content.
A number of officials, including Raúl Torrez, have previously signaled that waves of lawsuits like this could push for regulatory changes - especially in regulating AI's responsibilities.
The first trial in this case has not yet begun, but if the court sides with the victim, the consequences could be huge. In addition to the potential for billions of dollars in fines, the ruling also has the potential to change the legal foundation of the internet - especially regarding who is responsible for the content produced by AI.
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