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Facebook Data Breach Lawsuits in Germany

The German Federal Court of Justice is considering thousands of lawsuits following a Facebook data breach, deciding whether loss of data control warrants compensation.

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German

Germany

TechnologyGermany Social MediaCybersecurityLawData PrivacyLegal Case

FacebookMetaBundesgerichtshof (Bgh)Landgericht BonnOberlandesgericht Köln

Stephan SeitersChristian RohnkeMartin Mekat

What is Meta's position on these lawsuits, and what arguments do they use to defend themselves?: Meta, Facebook's parent company, argues that the lawsuits are baseless because no Facebook systems were hacked, and there was no data protection violation. They highlight winning over 6,000 similar cases in German courts.
What is the main legal issue being addressed by the German Federal Court of Justice (BGH) regarding the Facebook data breach?: Thousands of lawsuits are pending in German courts following a data breach at Facebook. The German Federal Court of Justice (BGH) is examining whether the loss of control over personal data alone constitutes sufficient grounds for compensation.
How many similar cases are pending in German courts due to the Facebook data breach, and what impact will the BGH's decision have?: The BGH's decision will be pivotal for numerous similar cases across German courts. Lower courts have largely dismissed such cases, with one example being the Oberlandesgericht Köln dismissing a case, prompting an appeal to the BGH.
How does the BGH propose to determine the extent of immaterial damages in this context, and what are some of the complexities involved?: A key question before the BGH is how to assess the extent of immaterial damages resulting from data breaches. The court is weighing whether the mere loss of control over personal data, even without demonstrable additional harm, is sufficient for compensation.
What is the BGH's current stance on whether the loss of control over personal data alone constitutes sufficient grounds for compensation?: The BGH is considering a user-friendly interpretation, acknowledging violations of the rights to informational self-determination and the protection of personal data. They are determining if the loss of control over data itself constitutes immaterial damage.

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