Google Autolink: taking away moral rights

Below is the feedback I just sent to Google:

Hello,

As a host and author of web content, I feel strongly that the Autolink functionality in your Toolbar beta is misguided. Changing the content of a website to provide links not inserted by the original author is violating the moral right of the author.

Every content producer on the web has the moral right to be associated with the work they have produced, as they produced it, with no unauthorised omissions or additions. By creating unauthorised additions to web content without the knowledge and consent of the author, you are violating this moral right.

Please rethink your decision to include the Autolink function in your next release of the Google toolbar.

Regards,
Matt Ryall

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About Matt

I’m a technology nerd, husband and father of four, living in beautiful Sydney, Australia.

My passion is building software products that make the world a better place. For the last 15 years, I’ve led product teams at Atlassian to create collaboration tools.

I'm also a startup advisor and investor, with an interest in advancing the Australian space industry. You can read more about my work on my LinkedIn profile.

To contact me, please send an email or reply on Twitter.