Facebook: Data privacy case begins in Vienna

A landmark data privacy case against social media giant Facebook has opened at a civil court in Vienna.

The group ‘Europe versus Facebook’ claims the service’s data collection policies violate EU law.

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.”

“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.

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.

Next, the court in Vienna needs to rule on whether or not it has jurisdiction over the case.