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Facebook wins legal battle to force Europeans to use real names online

Facebook wins legal battle to force Europeans to use real names online

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A German court today ruled in Facebook's favor after a data privacy watchdog tried to force the social network to drop its fake-name fight. The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner said in December that Facebook should start allowing fake names, calling its current policy "unacceptable." However, Facebook contested the watchdog's assertions, claiming that Germany's strict privacy laws were not applicable as its European offices are in Ireland, a country that the Associated Press says has "far less-reaching rules." Today's decision means that Facebook can continue to insist Europeans use their real names on the site.