The Italian data protection
authority said Wednesday that it has told Facebook, when
requested, it must communicate to users all the data that
regards them, such as personal information, photos and posts,
including those inserted and shared on fake accounts.
It also said it has ordered Facebook to block a fake
account in view of a possible legal case, in a decision that is
set to create a precedent.
It is the authority's first ruling regarding the
social-media giant, having asserted that the site's activities
in Italy fall within the scope of its powers.
It said it made the decision regarding a complaint by an
Italian Facebook user who reported being the victim of attempted
extortion and defamation by another user and who said the social
media website's response was unsatisfactory.
After becoming the Facebook friend of the complainant, the
other user allegedly made unsuccessful demands for money, the
authority.
The second user then allegedly created a fake account
using data and images from the original profile and sent
manipulated photos and videos damaging to the image of the
complainant to other Facebook friends.
The complainant asked for the fake account to be blocked
and data it contained cancelled.
The authority said it had upheld the complainant's
petition, but had told Facebook to conserve the data on the fake
profile in case the judicial authorities needed it for evidence.
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