Jena, March 02, 2026. The Oberlandesgericht Jena has sentenced the US corporation Meta to a damage payment of 3,000 euros. The reason is the secret and groundless recording of the browsing behavior of internet users, during which sensitive health data was also collected.
- Court: Oberlandesgericht (OLG) Jena
- Defendant: Meta Group (parent company of Facebook & Instagram)
- Verdict: 3,000 euros in damages, comprehensive data disclosure and deletion
- Background: Secret tracking via „Business Tools“ without user consent
- Status: Verdict is not legally binding; revision to the Bundesgerichtshof (BGH) has been permitted
The parent company of Facebook and Instagram, Meta, has, according to the assessment of the Oberlandesgericht Jena, massively violated European data protection law. In its decision on Monday, the senate particularly criticized the lack of transparency, the lack of purpose limitation, and the disregard for data minimization.
Secret Tracking Even Without Login
At the center of the proceedings were Meta’s so-called „Business Tools.“ These software tools logged the browsing behavior of users on the internet in the background. Recorded data included visited websites, clicked products, and online purchases. The explosive part: The data collection took place completely regardless of whether the individuals were logged into Meta services or had consented to data transmission at all.
Sensitive Health Data Targeted
The practice, criticized by the court as „groundless data collection,“ did not stop at particularly sensitive information. The OLG Jena found that Meta also processed information that allowed conclusions to be drawn about mental illnesses. Furthermore, research for therapeutic help and orders for medication were systematically recorded as well.
In addition to the payment of damages in the amount of 3,000 euros, Meta was ordered to provide the plaintiff with comprehensive information about all stored data and to delete it immediately. Since the verdict is not yet legally binding, it remains to be seen how the Bundesgerichtshof (BGH) will decide within the framework of the permitted revision.
Background: OLG Jena and Digital Data Protection
The Oberlandesgericht in Jena is the highest court of ordinary jurisdiction in the Free State of Thüringen. Pioneering rulings on digital data protection, as in the current case against the tech giant Meta, often have a signal effect for court proceedings throughout Germany.
How to protect your data in everyday life: Data protection experts advise actively protecting your own browsing behavior. This includes regularly deleting cookies, using privacy-friendly web browsers, or installing reputable tracking blockers. In addition, users should regularly check the options for personalized advertising and data sharing with third-party providers in the account settings of social media platforms and search engines and deactivate them if possible.
Source:
Oberlandesgericht in Jena rules: Meta must pay 3,000 euros to plaintiff
Transparency Note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.