A class-action lawsuit which alleged Facebook violated the privacy of thousands of users has been thrown out by an Austrian court.

 

The suit was brought by law student Max Schrems on behalf of 25,000 Facebook users, who said their data was illegally tracked and provided to US intelligence agencies.

 

But the court refused to rule on the case, saying it did not have jurisdiction over the issue.

 

It did not say where he could have the right to bring the case. Mr Schrems says he plans to appeal the decision.

 

Mr Schrem's lawyer Wolfram Proksch said: "We have expected a number of possible outcomes, but this finding by the court is really very strange.

 

"Unfortunately it seems like the court wanted to forward this hot potato to the higher courts."

 

It is a small victory for Facebook, which faces a series of legal challenges across Europe over how it handles personal data.

 

Facebook said: "This litigation was unnecessary and we’re pleased that the court has roundly rejected these claims."

 

Facebook's European headquarters is based in Dublin, and the company is regulated by the Irish Data Protection Commissioner.

 

The commissioner has repeatedly given the company a clean bill of health.

(Sky News)