Facebook comes under German law

Since Facebook had opened an office in Hamburg on February 11, Schaar said that the company was now subject to Germany’s strict data protection laws, the federal government official told broadcaster Deutschlandradio.

Facebook has access to the personal data of its users, but up until now, those living in Germany have had no legal protection from the unwanted use of that information.

But Schaar emphasised that the “first responsibility” lay with Facebook users, and advised them to read the terms and conditions of the social network website.