Meta fined €100,000 by German court for slow data deletion

Germany's regional court in Frankfurt has imposed a €100,000 fine on Meta, the parent company of Facebook, due to the company's delayed data deletion procedures. The court found Meta culpable for not promptly removing false information posted on its platform.

The case involved false claims published on Facebook that identified a soldier stationed in the Gaza Strip as a war criminal, including the publication of his name and photograph. The soldier subsequently filed a lawsuit, leading to an expedited procedure at the Frankfurt court.

In March, the Frankfurt court issued an injunction prohibiting Meta from publishing these false entries on Facebook, warning of a potential fine for non-compliance. However, the content remained online until April 8 and 10, prompting the soldier to request the imposition of the penalty.

Meta's failure to adhere to the court's order resulted in the imposed fine. The court's decision underscores the legal ramifications for social media platforms regarding the timely removal of defamatory or false content, particularly when it involves serious accusations against individuals.