Data protection officials in Germany have deemed Facebook’s well-known “Like” button illegal due to the country’s stringent privacy regulations.
The northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein has instructed multiple websites hosting the button that links to the social media platform to eliminate it by the end of September or risk a fine of up to $71,935.
According to Thilo Weichert from the state’s data protection agency, the application enables Facebook to unlawfully compile a profile based on users’ online behavior.
“Every click on a website can be tracked by Facebook, along with the duration of my visit and my interests,” he stated.
In response, Facebook, based in Palo Alto, California, dismissed Mr. Weichert’s assertions, arguing that the plug-ins fully comply with European regulations.
by Sasha Dubronitz
