Class Action Against Facebook: Millions of Users Sue Over 2021 Data Breach
Consumer advocates have launched a class action lawsuit against Facebook, following a 2021 data breach that exposed millions of users' personal information. The first hearing is set for October 10 at the Higher Regional Court in Hamburg. Affected users can still join the lawsuit until October 31, with no cost involved.
The data breach, which occurred in 2021, compromised sensitive data such as names, phone numbers, email addresses, birthdates, home addresses, and relationship statuses of hundreds of millions of users. The Federation of German Consumer Organizations (vzbv) and the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) have confirmed that affected individuals can claim damages, even without economic loss.
The lawsuit is being managed by BK Baumeister & Kollegen, who are handling registrations for the collective action free of charge. The amount of compensation will vary based on the type of data published, with a maximum claim of 600 euros per person. Users who had a private Facebook account in 2018 and 2019 and provided their phone number are eligible to join. The risk posed by the data breach includes increased vulnerability to cybercrime such as phishing emails, scams, and identity theft. To protect themselves, users are advised to be aware of phishing signs and set up two-factor authentication.
The class action lawsuit against Facebook highlights the serious risks posed by data breaches. Affected users are urged to take action and join the lawsuit before the October 31 deadline. Additionally, users are encouraged to follow smartphone security guidelines, including those provided in our guide, to protect their mobile phones from cyber threats.
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