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Facebook Charged With Inciting Hate Speech In German Lawsuit

BERLIN (CBS/AP) -- German prosecutors are examining a criminal complaint against three people alleging that Facebook facilitates incitement.

Nana Frombach, a spokeswoman for prosecutors in Hamburg, said Monday her authority has opened an investigation but is still trying to establish whether there is a case for anyone to answer.

News portal Spiegel Online reported that the people targeted by the complaints are listed as managers of Facebook Germany GmbH, a unit based in Hamburg.

Spiegel Online said the complaint was filed by a Bavaria-based lawyer who pointed to hate speech on Facebook related to the refugee crisis and other matters. Menlo-Park based Facebook headquarters didn't immediately comment on the case.

German officials have met Facebook representatives to push for faster deletion of hate speech.

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