Global takedown order on Facebook

Facebook can be ordered to remove illegal content worldwide, Europe’s top court said on Thursday in a landmark ruling that rights activists say raises concerns that some countries could use it to silence critics.

The judgment means social platforms can be forced to seek out hateful content deemed illegal by a national court in the 28-country bloc rather than wait for requests to remove posts as it currently does under EU rules.

Facebook and other platforms can also be made to comply with requests to take down content globally, even in countries where it is not illegal, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled.

The judgment came just a week after the same court told Google that it does not have to apply Europe’s “right to be forgotten” law globally, garnering praise from free speech advocates.