Germany Launches Legal Action Against Facebook

[Andy Chalk]

Germany Launches Legal Action Against Facebook

Germany has launched legal action against Facebook [http://www.facebook.com] over complaints that it is violating the privacy rights of people who haven't even signed up for it.

Privacy has become a tricky business, in large part because it seems like most people are willing to give it up at the drop of a hat. I avoided Facebook for ages and asked my friends to keep me off their pages because I didn't want my personal information plastered all over the net. Naturally, that just inspired a former co-worker to slap some pictures of me on her own page, tag them with my name and post what she no doubt thought was an amusing "Ha ha" message taunting me about it.

That sort of behavior has prompted German officials to launch legal proceedings against Facebook over its policy of saving information about people who aren't members of the social network but have various details posted on it anyway thanks to overly-enthusiastic friends. Johannes Caspar, the head of Hamburg's Data Protection Authority, said Facebook is saving that information without proper permission and that he's received "a number of complaints" about the practice.

"We consider the saving of data from third parties, in this context, to be against data privacy laws," he said.

Facebook, whose CEO Mark Zuckerberg reportedly "Consumer Watchdog [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/100652-Facebook-CEO-People-Who-Trust-Me-Are-Dumb-F-cks], privacy laws in Europe are much stricter than they are in North America.

"There are much stronger privacy laws in Europe than here, where privacy is viewed as a consumer protection issue as opposed to a fundamental human right," he told the BBC [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8798906.stm]. "We see that a number of Silicon Valley companies don't really understand how seriously privacy issues are taken in Europe and they will continue to run afoul of data protection laws there. I also think there is a growing reaction in the US that we should beef up our privacy laws along the lines of those in Europe."

Facebook has until August 11 to reply to the complaint and said it will "readily respond to it within the given time frame."

Thanks to Bloodstain for the tip.


Permalink

 

[Jared]

Oh, remember reading this...of all things that could happen, I was sure they were too preoccupied on googles blunders to bother with anyone else...

But, I can see alot of red faces at FB HQ!

 

[Sparrow]

Well if this turns out anything like the Spain and Germany match...

I kid! I kid!

 

[William Dickbringer]

is it just me or is facebook getting in a lot of trouble involving privacy

 

[El Poncho]

If it bothers you so much don't make a facebook account, simple.

edit: I've made another post, read it before quoting this one please.

 

[ultimasupersaiyan]

They really do need a better privacy system on Facebook. I try to keep as much private information away from Facebook as possible because I don't trust Facebook completely.

 

[The Rockerfly]

There are a million and one privacy settings, I doubt this will ever see any serious action but if it does it will be really cool if facebook got taken down

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

The Data Protection Act from the UK will be next in court if they're not careful.

Spoiler

The Data Protection Act gives individuals the right to know what information is held about them. It provides a framework to ensure that personal information is handled properly.

The Act works in two ways. Firstly, it states that anyone who processes personal information must comply with eight principles, which make sure that personal information is:

* Fairly and lawfully processed
* Processed for limited purposes
* Adequate, relevant and not excessive
* Accurate and up to date
* Not kept for longer than is necessary
* Processed in line with your rights
* Secure
* Not transferred to other countries without adequate protection

The second area covered by the Act provides individuals with important rights, including the right to find out what personal information is held on computer and most paper records.

Should an individual or organisation feel they're being denied access to personal information they're entitled to, or feel their information has not been handled according to the eight principles, they can contact the Information Commissioner's Office for help. Complaints are usually dealt with informally, but if this isn't possible, enforcement action can be taken.

 

[Olfinbedwere]

................

 

[darkfire613]

If it bothers you so much don't make a facebook account, simple.

This is specifically about people who don't have an account but are having their information posted and stored anyways.

 

[El Poncho]

If it bothers you so much don't make a facebook account, simple.

This is specifically about people who don't have an account but are having their information posted and stored anyways.

Aha, I see then, fair do's to Germany then, someone has got to take a stand.

 

[Alar]

Whether or not Zuckerburg doesn't believe in privacy, he believes in money. That means that he will, likely, take measures to avoid having his ass sued off. Just think about it. If Germany succeeds, other countries will probably attempt to do the same. It could mean the end of Facebook.

...wait, did I just say that outloud? WOOHOOO! It could be the end of Facebook!

 

[ShadowKatt]

If it bothers you so much don't make a facebook account, simple.

No, it's not just you. Every social networking site goes through these problems, and then eventually die when the new one comes in. Case and point, Myspace.

 

[Mariakitten]

Whoo way to go Germany.

 

[Specter_]

If it bothers you so much don't make a facebook account, simple.

that's the point:
fb stores personal information of people who did not sign up, who did not consent to the publication and/or storage of those informations and are "victims" of other people who use fb.

you should read the text before making comments like that...

 

[Max_imus]

If it bothers you so much don't make a facebook account, simple.

This is specifically about people who don't have an account but are having their information posted and stored anyways.

That's not exactly fair, since people can technically do that anywhere on the internet, be it Youtube, this forum, or whatever.

True, but Facebook is actively encouraging this. Look at the option to disclose your whole E-Mail Account including your contacts, whether the people in your contact list would agree with their data being given to Facebook or not.

 

[Orcus The Ultimate]

Stupid Zuckerberg.... instead of helping both parties he just envenimates all...