Obviously, some people don't seem to understand that not all legal systems are US-like.
In France, the court system doesn't require lawyers - however, for a court, you need to gather a judge, a procuror, a typist,and both sides may bring a lawyer if they so desire.
This has a cost.
In order to prevent trivial trials, costs are paid for by the parties - the loser pays. However, compared with the US system where lawyers can bill whatever sum they want, in France, these costs are fixed by the hour, by the number of persons forced to stop their normal activity, etc. And the loser pays.
So, now we have this guy; he is a satanist and child rapist - at the very least, he's been judged as such, BUT there still is an appeal available to him, that he took: so, he's NOT YET an irrevocably condemned satanist child rapist.
The fact is, in France, Google represents 90% of all search results, and more than a third of the population has Internet access. Internet is thus a media like any other, and Google a 'publication' with some clout, and Google associates the guy's name wit 'satanist'.
Google designed the incriminated algorithm.
Google displays the results of said algorithm.
Google has control of said displays, as it's been shown that they can influence it in other cases in other countries.
As such, considering the algorithm labels the guy as a satanist, Google is responsible for the guy being labeled a satanist, however he hasn't gone through all recourses, so he hasn't been fully convicted.
It is, technically (in all senses of the term), slander - so, Google is guilty.
It's also ridiculous, so Google's fine, damages, etc. is one Euro.
But, the Law is the Law, the loser pays court fees (that are tightly controlled) - and must pays the fees for the court and the lawyers - 5000 Euros.
Now, compare with the US system, where someone can sue someone else for looking at them oddly and get USD 50 000. And the lawyers add their bills (around USD 30 000 in such cases) on top.
Which is sanest?