The High Court has ordered Google to hand over whatever details it has on whoever is responsible for an online scam which used the Tánaiste’s name and image.
Micheál Martin took legal action after he came across two fake ads which he said were designed to target vulnerable people in a cryptocurrency scam.
As soon as the ads were brought to its attention, Google took them down.
But the Tánaiste wants to know who was behind them.
While the tech giant was co-operative to a point, it refused to hand over that information without a court order.
That led to Micheál Martin’s lawyers going to court last week.
Today an order was made, without objection from Google.
Google must now hand over basic subscriber information, including names, email addresses and phone numbers linked to accounts associated with the ads.
The order also requires it to provide details of any financial accounts or services used to pay for the publication of the ads through Google’s advertising platform.
It must also hand over details of any IP addresses from which the accounts were accessed.
The order is limited to the extent such information exists and requires Google to hand over whatever it has within 21 days.
Response
In a statement issued today, the Tánaiste welcomed the order.
"The ads in question are completely unacceptable." Fianna Fáil said on his behalf.
Michéal Martin believes it is "important" he took this action, to make sure "currently anonymous third parties" will be "held to account."
He now awaits the relevant information from Google.
