Chrome users will no longer be able to install certain browser extensions

Dec 12, 2013 12:46 GMT  ·  By

Google has removed a series of torrent search extensions created for web browser Chrome, as these could enable unauthorized access to copyrighted content.

The decision has upset many site owners since, of course, not all content on torrent sites is in fact pirated. Furthermore, as TorrentFreak points out, Google’s own search bar could very well be judged in the same manner.

Media industry groups have been giving Google a hard time in recent years for what they consider to be aiding people to get to copyrighted content. The MPAA and the RIAA are two of the top DMCA senders to Google and they have so far asked the company to remove millions of URLs from the search results page.

Now, over the past few weeks, tools linked to The Pirate Bay, KickassTorrents, Torlock and a few other torrent portals have disappeared from the Chrome Web Store. Emails sent to developers indicate that this type of extensions encourage, facilitate and enable copyright infringement.

“We don’t allow products or services that violate third-party terms of service, or products or services that encourage, facilitate or enable the unauthorized access, download, or streaming of copyrighted content or media,” Google writes.

As mentioned, not all content found on torrent sites is protected by copyright. In fact, there’s quite a lot of freeware mingled around.

“This is really a sad day for web freedom as Google has now taken the stance of guilty until proven innocent,” said Jack, the developer of Torlock. “Correct me if I am wrong but doesn’t Google’s own search bar on their front page do exactly the same thing they are accusing us of? All you have to do is known a name of copyrighted content and Google it and you can have it downloaded and on your TV in seconds,” Jack added.