Facebook to unmask anonymous Dutch user accused of repeated defamatory posts
If you’re fond of posting anonymously on Facebook, you might want to reconsider. A recent ruling by the Court of Hague in The Netherlands could potentially change the game of online anonymity. The court ordered Meta Ireland to disclose the identity of an anonymous user accused of defaming another user. The accused had reportedly posted defamatory statements about the claimant in private Facebook groups. Despite the claimant’s pleas, Meta declined to remove the posts claiming it was unclear if the content was unlawful.
This ruling came about after the claimant sued Meta, initially seeking removal of posts, identification of the anonymous user, and flagging any potential defamatory posts. Meta defended the anonymous user’s right to freedom of expression, but the court decided that the claimant deserved a chance to challenge the purportedly defamatory statements. As a result, the court ordered Meta to reveal “basic subscriber information” about the anonymous user.
Although Meta has agreed to comply with the order, it faces a daily penalty of around $1,200 if it fails to provide the required information, with a maximum fine capped at less than $130,000. The court’s order is considered a “landmark decision” that could herald a shift in the balance between user privacy and accountability on social media platforms.
Interestingly enough, while the court’s primary concern seemed to be the potentially defamatory nature of the statements posted anonymously, it also emphasized that content doesn’t necessarily have to be unlawful for Facebook to be ordered to identify the user posting it. So, next time you post anonymously, remember that your anonymity might not be as secure as you think.
Source: Facebook to unmask anonymous Dutch user accused of repeated defamatory posts | Ars Technica
