A recent ruling by the Berlin Regional Court II has declared Facebook’s Friend Finder feature to be illegal, specifically regarding its practice of accessing contact data of individuals who are not registered users of the platform. The verdict pertains to consumers residing in Germany, indicating a significant shift in data protection standards in the country. The court introduced potential penalties for violations, with fines reaching up to €250,000 for any infractions, although the ruling is not yet legally enforceable.

The Friend Finder feature enables users to upload contact information stored on their devices to Facebook, which is utilized primarily for aiding in finding friends and making friend suggestions. However, the court expressed concerns regarding privacy rights, arguing that the practice infringes on individuals' rights who have not consented to the use of their contact data. This highlights ongoing tensions between tech companies' data practices and European regulatory standards aimed at protecting user privacy.

This ruling is poised to impact how Facebook operates its features in Europe, potentially leading to changes in user functionality and how consent is obtained. Given the implications for data privacy, this case underscores the heightened scrutiny of social media platforms in Europe and may encourage similar legal challenges against other data practices deemed non-compliant with privacy laws.