Facebook suffers legal blow in EU court over hate speech

Facebook on Wednesday was dealt a major blow in EU's top court, which ruled that national courts in Europe can order online platforms to remove defamatory content worldwide. In a closely watched judgment, European Court of Justice said EU law "does t preclude" courts from ordering " removal of information or to block access worldwide," a statement said. decision will be seen as a victory for EU regulators, who are ambitious to see US tech giants meet tightened European standards over hate speech and offensive content. Last week, same court decided that Google was t legally compelled to apply EU's strict "right to be forgotten" rules globally, in a victory for search giant.

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Removal of Facebook posts

latest case was brought originally to an Austrian court by Greens party politician Eva Glawischnig, who requested removal of Facebook posts that judges found defamed her and could be seen by users of social network around world. A higher Austrian court referred case to EU's top court for an opinion and judgment, which cant be appealed, will w be used as a reference Europe-wide. In dition to deletion of messs, Greens h demanded Facebook provide information to determine identity of people in fictitious accounts that often carried most virulent comments.

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original complaint concerns messs from one of se fictitious accounts, which according to Greens, h called Eva Glawischnig a "corrupt" person and which social network refused to delete. With decision, Facebook and similar platforms such as Twitter, face a greater obligation to monitor ir content and take down content found to be offensive or hateful. EU-wide, so far online giants that also include Google's Youtube, have agreed to voluntarily takedown hateful or dangerous content, including those linked to terrorism, within 24 hours. However, EU is expected to propose tougher Europe-wide measures that could include fines if Facebook and ors fail to comply with orders.

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