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.
