Facebook Charged With Inciting Hate Speech In German Lawsuit
BERLIN (CBS/AP) -- German prosecutors are examining a criminal complaint against three people alleging that Facebook facilitates incitement.
Nana Frombach, a spokeswoman for prosecutors in Hamburg, said Monday her authority has opened an investigation but is still trying to establish whether there is a case for anyone to answer.
News portal Spiegel Online reported that the people targeted by the complaints are listed as managers of Facebook Germany GmbH, a unit based in Hamburg.
Spiegel Online said the complaint was filed by a Bavaria-based lawyer who pointed to hate speech on Facebook related to the refugee crisis and other matters. Menlo-Park based Facebook headquarters didn't immediately comment on the case.
German officials have met Facebook representatives to push for faster deletion of hate speech.