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Millions of People Affected in Germany by Facebook Data Theft

Over half a billion Facebook users fell victim to data thieves years ago. The Federal Court of Justice (Bundesgerichtshof) recently made a ruling on compensation. Those affected now have a new option to sue.

Victims of a large-scale data theft at Facebook several years ago will soon have a relatively simple way to claim compensation for free. Millions of affected individuals living in Germany could join a class action lawsuit against Facebook’s parent company, Meta, as announced by the Federation of German Consumer Organizations in Berlin.

This move would ensure that any potential claims by consumers will not expire at the end of the year, T3N reported.

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How the Facebook Data Breach Evolved

The case stems from a 2021 incident where unknown parties published the data of around 533 million Facebook users from 106 countries online, affecting approximately six million individuals in Germany.

Thousands of lawsuits were filed, with Meta winning many of these cases, maintaining that the claims were baseless and unfounded.

However, in November 2023, Germany’s Federal Court of Justice (BGH) ruled that simply being a victim of the data breach suffices to claim damages, without requiring proof of misuse of the data or significant personal harm.

Compensation for loss of data control could be modest, starting at 100 euros, with potential increases if psychological impacts are proven.

Interested parties may join the consumer protection organization’s model declaratory action but will likely need to wait until the German Federal Office of Justice opens the claims register.

Read more: Google Meet Security: How Secure is Google Meet?

Social Media Data Breaches: How Often Do They Happen?

Here are some notable occurrences of social media-related data breaches:

Twitter Data Leak (January 2023): A hacker named Ryushi put up the stolen data of over 220 million Twitter users for sale on a hacking forum after demanding $200,000 in ransom. Although the data mainly consisted of email addresses, they could easily identify individuals, posing a significant privacy risk.

Facebook Credential Theft (October 2022): Over 400 malicious apps targeting Facebook users were uncovered, designed to steal login credentials. These apps disguised themselves as games, photo editors, and other utilities.

TikTok Data Breach Rumor (September 2022): A hacker claimed to have obtained TikTok’s internal source code and user data, although the platform denied the allegations. This highlighted the ongoing concerns about data security on large-scale platforms.

Meta-Cambridge Analytica Fallout (August 2022): Meta settled a lawsuit tied to the 2016 Cambridge Analytica scandal, where Facebook user data was improperly shared with a political consulting firm. This historic breach had long-lasting legal and reputational effects.

These incidents underline the persistent vulnerability of major platforms and the potential misuse of user data.

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Social Media Data Breaches: What Are Hackers Looking For?

Social media-related data breaches typically fall into several categories based on the nature of the breach and the method used to access data:

Unauthorized Access to User Accounts: Hackers exploit weak passwords, credential stuffing, or phishing attacks to gain access to social media accounts, often stealing personal information like messages, photos, or sensitive credentials.

Data Scraping: Automated bots collect publicly available information at scale from social media profiles, often violating platform terms. For example, LinkedIn and Facebook have faced data scraping incidents exposing user data such as names, emails, and job titles.

Insider Threats: Employees with access to sensitive user data may misuse or leak it, either accidentally or maliciously. This is a significant concern for platforms with large internal teams.

API Exploits: Breaches occur when vulnerabilities in social media APIs allow unauthorized access to user data. This was a key issue in the 2018 Facebook-Cambridge Analytica scandal.

Third-party App Vulnerabilities: Integrations with external applications can become a weak link, where insufficiently secured third-party tools lead to data exposure.

Credential Harvesting through Malicious Apps: Fake apps disguised as utilities or games trick users into logging in with their social media credentials, which are then stolen.

Phishing and Social Engineering: Attackers impersonate platforms or use direct messages to deceive users into sharing login credentials or other sensitive information.

These breaches often result in stolen personal data being sold on the dark web or used for malicious purposes like identity theft or fraud. Implementing robust security measures and user education is critical for preventing such incidents.

Learn more: OpenAI Chat: Security Considerations

What Legal Protections Exist for Users After a Breach?

Laws like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the EU and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in the U.S. require companies to disclose breaches and offer remedies to affected users.

Users may also file lawsuits or join class actions, as seen in Facebook’s settlement with users affected by the Cambridge Analytica breach​.

To prevent breaches, Eyre security-focused meeting platform is investing in advanced encryption, real-time breach detection, and regular security audits. We also educate users about security best practices and develop robust tools for managing privacy and account security.

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Social Media Data Breaches: How to Protect Yourself

Safeguarding against social media data breaches involves proactive steps to protect personal information and secure accounts. Here are some strategies:

Use Strong and Unique Passwords: Create complex passwords that combine letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid reusing passwords across multiple platforms. Use a password manager to securely store them.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Activate 2FA on your social media accounts to add an extra layer of security. This typically requires a second verification step, such as a text message code or authenticator app.

Monitor Permissions for Third-party Apps: Regularly review and revoke access for third-party apps that no longer need your social media data. These apps can be a weak point for breaches.

Limit Personal Information Sharing: Avoid oversharing sensitive details like your address, phone number, or birth date on your profiles. The less data available, the less risk of misuse.

Be Cautious with Links and Messages: Don’t click on suspicious links or respond to messages that request your login details, even if they appear to be from a trusted source. Phishing is a common tactic in data breaches.

Regularly Update Privacy Settings: Use the privacy tools provided by social media platforms to control who can see your posts, profile information, and activity.

Stay Informed and Update Software: Keep your apps and devices updated with the latest security patches. Cybercriminals often exploit outdated software.

Monitor for Breaches: Use tools like Have I Been Pwned to check if your email or account has been part of a breach, and take action if needed, such as changing passwords.

Implementing these practices can help reduce the risk of falling victim to a data breach and minimize the impact if one occurs.

Millions of People Affected in Germany by Facebook Data Theft
Millions of People Affected in Germany by Facebook Data Theft

The Rising Importance of Meeting Data Security in the Age of Data Breaches

In today’s digital world, data breaches are more frequent, sophisticated, and costly than ever. Sensitive business discussions, intellectual property, and confidential decisions shared during virtual meetings are prime targets for cybercriminals. A single breach can damage reputations, violate privacy laws like GDPR or HIPAA, and result in significant financial losses.

This is where Eyre Meet makes the difference. Built with end-to-end encryption and a strong focus on data privacy, Eyre Meet ensures that meeting content—audio, video, chat, and shared files—is protected and inaccessible to unauthorized parties.

Unlike general-purpose platforms, Eyre Meet prioritizes compliance and security, safeguarding your critical conversations against breaches and regulatory risks.

In an age where every conversation matters, Eyre Meet keeps them safe.

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FAQ

What is a social media data breach?

A social media data breach occurs when unauthorized parties access user data from platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn. Breached data can include personal information (e.g., names, email addresses), login credentials, or private messages, often leading to identity theft or fraud.

What was the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica scandal?

The Facebook-Cambridge Analytica scandal, revealed in 2018, involved the unauthorized harvesting of personal data from up to 87 million Facebook users. The political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica used this data to target voters during political campaigns, including the 2016 U.S. presidential election and Brexit referendum. The breach led to widespread criticism of Facebook’s data practices and resulted in a $5 billion fine by the Federal Trade Commission​

How do hackers breach social media platforms?

Hackers use methods like phishing, exploiting API vulnerabilities, credential stuffing, and malicious apps to gain unauthorized access. Poor security practices by users, such as weak passwords or oversharing personal data, also contribute to breaches.

What are the consequences of social media data breaches?

Consequences include identity theft, financial fraud, reputational damage, and legal repercussions for the affected platform. For example, the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica case damaged Facebook’s reputation and prompted stricter regulations, including GDPR enforcement in the EU.

How can users protect themselves from social media breaches?

  • Use strong, unique passwords.
  • Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) – for example, Eyre Meet uses multi-factor authentication to keep your meeting data safe
  • Limit sharing of sensitive personal data.
  • Monitor permissions for third-party apps.
  • Regularly update privacy settings and software.
  • Be cautious with suspicious links and messages.

If you’re concerned about a recent breach, check online tools like Have I Been Pwned to see if your information is exposed and take steps to secure your accounts.

Author Profile
Julie Gabriel

Julie Gabriel wears many hats—founder of Eyre.ai, product marketing veteran, and, most importantly, mom of two. At Eyre.ai, she’s on a mission to make communication smarter and more seamless with AI-powered tools that actually work for people (and not the other way around). With over 20 years in product marketing, Julie knows how to build solutions that not only solve problems but also resonate with users. Balancing the chaos of entrepreneurship and family life is her superpower—and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

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