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Germany bans people from using the WhatsApp group application for gossip. PHOTO/ DAILY
BERLIN – A German court has taken firm action against someone using the WhatsApp group application to insult, talk about a boss or fellow co-workers.
DPA news agency, Saturday (26/8/2023), reported that the judge ruled that although group members can submit their comments privately, when it comes to statements that are insulting or racially charged, confidentiality only applies in exceptional cases.
According to a ruling by the German Labor Court, if the insulting words became public, the employee could be fired.
The decision was taken after considering the case of the WhatsApp group on the TUIfly airline.
This case involved a group of friends and two brothers who worked at TUIfly.
They reportedly delivered insults that were clearly not directly delivered by the officials.
The seven airline partners exchanged WhatsApp messages over several years, insulting one another and those who were not part of the chat group.
They made derogatory, racist, inhuman and sexist comments and encouraged violence by threatening to punch someone in the face.
Some of their chat history was copied and sent to the job board and personnel manager which ultimately led to their dismissal.
The Labor Court is considering a lower court decision ruling that group members believe they have a legitimate claim to secrecy.
The court found that chat groups, whether protected or confidential communications, depended on the type of message and the size and composition of the group.
(wbs)