Landmark Data Privacy Case Against Facebook Opens in Vienna

A landmark data privacy case against social media giant Facebook has opened at a civil court in Vienna.<br /><br /> The group ‘Europe versus Facebook’ claims the service’s data collection policies violate EU law. <br /><br /> It is led by Austrian law student Max Schrems who said he abandoned a legal challenge in Dublin, where Facebook in Europe is based, to spare himself from what he called the “madness of Irish courts.”<br /><br /> “It is crucial that online data becomes secure. I don’t really have a choice but to use Facebook, WhatsApp, Apple and Google, which happen to be monopolies. The only choice I have as a user is to claim my constitutional right in court, unfortunately. It’s not just about me, this is for every Facebook user,” he said.<br /><br /> Facebook has previously pointed out to euronews that users disclose information voluntarily, and it has very clear information about what is shared and who it is shared with. <br /><br /> Next, the court in Vienna needs to rule on whether or not it has jurisdiction over the case.