German Ministry Announces Development of a Self-Regulatory Code for Social Networks
Time 1 Minute Read

On November 2, 2011, Germany’s Federal Minister of the Interior met with stakeholders from the social networking industry and announced the development of a self-regulatory code for social networks. According to the Ministry’s press release, the code is aimed at enhancing data protection, consumer protection and the protection of minors on the Internet.

In endorsing the initiative, the Interior Minister stated, “self-regulation can also prove efficient in the social networking context, allowing for quick and flexible arrangements that enhance transparency and user trust. These rules should apply regardless of where a company is based.” The Minister also stressed that the current, ongoing review of the EU data protection framework will figure prominently in the development of the Code.

A first draft of the Code is expected in March 2012.

You May Also Be Interested In

Time 2 Minute Read

On March 3, 2026, the Virginia Attorney General appealed a federal court’s grant of a preliminary injunction barring the enforcement of a new Virginia law requiring age verification and a time limit on social media use by minors under the age of 16 pending a final determination on the merits.    

Time 2 Minute Read

On February 23, 2026, a Joint Statement on AI-Generated Imagery was published by 61 data protection authorities. The Joint Statement addresses concerns regarding AI systems capable of generating realistic images and videos depicting identifiable individuals without their knowledge or consent.

Time 2 Minute Read

On February 18, 2026, Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones announced that his office intends to fully enforce new provisions of the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act restricting minors’ use of social media.

Time 1 Minute Read

In January 2026, new and amended comprehensive U.S. state privacy laws, as well as U.S. state laws regulating social media platforms and artificial intelligence, went into effect.

Search

Subscribe Arrow

Recent Posts

Categories

Tags

Archives

Jump to Page