Facebook to be subject to tougher controls after EU court ruling

ECJ says member states can order platform to remove defamatory material globally

Facebook will be subject to tougher controls over online content after the EU's highest court ruled the social media company can be ordered by member states to remove defamatory material worldwide.

The judgment from the European court of justice in Luxembourg was condemned by free speech organisations for imposing restrictions on online comments. It effectively edges internet service providers further down the road towards becoming traditional publishers.