The Beginning of the End for YouTube

Oh man is Google Tube in trouble.  TechCrunch announced today that YouTube, after a subpoena from Fox,  released to fox the personal information of a user, ECOTtotal, that 20th Century Fox Television accused of uploading episodes of 24 (great show) the week before they aired.  He also apparently uploaded old Simpson's clips.

I've blogged about YouTube and Google censoring content before, both here, and here.  I believe that will begin YouTube's transition from buzz worthy to after thought.  Now, users personal information may be given away.  Marshall Kirkpatrick (Michael Arrington's stand in) asked on TechCrunch how YouTube users would feel about this.  The answer is...scared.

A few years back when individual people were getting sued due to the music downloading, it was scary.  When a site gives away personal info, holding that person liable, two things will happen.  First, users will remove as much of their personal info as the site will allow them to, they may even create fake e-mails.  Second, they'll stop uploading videos, at least videos of content they didn't create. 

The day that happens, I will no longer use YouTube.  I use YouTube to watch content videos, primarily live bands and sports clips.  I don't need to watch the homemade clips.  I'm sure many others will leave for similar reasons.