Join Todd Bishop and John Cook weekends on KIRO Radio to talk Seattle technology.Conversation starters
Most popular
Bonneville Seattle is raising funds for the construction of a second Fisher House at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Tacoma and we need your help.German privacy watchdog loses Facebook appeal
April 24, 2013 @ 12:32 pm
BERLIN (AP) - A German privacy watchdog has failed in its bid to stop Facebook from forcing users to register with their real names.
Schleswig-Holstein state's data protection office had argued that the ban on fake names breaches German privacy laws and European rules designed to protect free speech online.
But a state appeals court has confirmed a lower tribunal's ruling that German privacy laws don't apply to Facebook because the social networking site has its European headquarters in Ireland, where privacy rules are less stringent.
Data protection Commissioner Thilo Weichert said in a statement Wednesday that he would accept the ruling, but urged lawmakers to consider changing legislation to harmonize privacy laws across the European Union.
Facebook officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
-
More to the Story
Liberace's ex-lover says the world will hear more of his story, and Michael Jackson's in there -
'I Am A God'
Critics say Kanye West's album will change music forever -
A Skeptic's Doubts
An ESPN columnist doubts Russell Wilson will ever be elite
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.