Germany fines Facebook $2.3 million for only reporting a 'fraction' of its illegal content complaints

Facebook.
(Image credit: Stephen Lam)

Facebook has been hit with a $2.3 million fine by German authorities, who say the company underreported the number of illegal content complaints it has received, CNN reports.

The German Federal Office of Justice on Tuesday said that a 2018 transparency report Facebook submitted as required by German law "lists only a fraction of complaints about illegal content" and that the company created a "distorted public image."

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Brendan Morrow

Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.