A Syrian refugee in Germany is suing Facebook over false accusations
REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch
A picture of Anas Modamani taking a selfie with German Chancellor Angela Merkel was posted all over social media when it was taken in 2015.
But the comment section below the picture was used to accuse Modamani of crimes he did not commit and to spread fake news.
What led Modamani to take legal action is, among other things, is the suggestion that he was involved in an attack on a homeless man in Berlin. Seven young men - six Syrians and one Libyan who are now in custody - were suspected of having set the man on fire. The picture of Modamani with Merkel got somehow associated with that case.
The Facebook user being sued has been accused of sharing a photo montage that linked Modamani to the attack on the homeless man. The false post accusing Modamani of attacking the homeless man has been shared more than 500 times, but according to Facebook does not violate the "community standards."
Modamani's lawyer, Chan-jo Jun, has said that through the lawsuit he wants Facebook to stop spreading "slanderous fake news."
This is the second time that Modamani has been accused of committing very serious crimes on the social media site. In the summer, he was accused of being involved in the Brussels bombings that killed 32 people.
According to Jun, should the case go to court, it would probably be the first time Facebook has appeared in front of a German court because of fake news.
- I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.
- Colon cancer rates are rising in young people. If you have two symptoms you should get a colonoscopy, a GI oncologist says.
- Saudi Arabia wants China to help fund its struggling $500 billion Neom megaproject. Investors may not be too excited.
- Catan adds climate change to the latest edition of the world-famous board game
- Tired of blatant misinformation in the media? This video game can help you and your family fight fake news!
- Tired of blatant misinformation in the media? This video game can help you and your family fight fake news!
- JNK India IPO allotment – How to check allotment, GMP, listing date and more
- Indian Army unveils selfie point at Hombotingla Pass ahead of 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas