Class action lawsuit could see Meta users in Germany owed €5,000

A class action lawsuit has been launched in Germany against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, seeking compensation for users whose personal data was allegedly mishandled. The lawsuit stems from a previous ruling by the Leipzig Regional Court which found Facebook liable for €5,000 in damages to a plaintiff due to systemic violations of European data protection laws. The Consumer Protection Association (VSV) is representing users, claiming Meta illegally monitors users’ online activity through its “Meta Business Tools,” impacting an estimated 50 million people in Germany.

To join the lawsuit, individuals must be residents of Germany and users of either Facebook or Instagram. Successful plaintiffs could receive €5,000 (adults) or €10,000 (minors) in compensation. Participants will pay a legal fee of 9.5 percent of any winnings to the litigation funder. Registration is available through the website meta-klage.de, requiring completion of a questionnaire detailing account usage.

German courts have ruled against Meta in approximately 50% of similar cases, and one lawyer involved has secured compensation in 700 out of 2,000 cases, though payouts are still pending. The class action format allows individuals to join without bearing the full financial risk of litigation.

(Source：The Local Germany)