German spy chief says regulation may be needed for social platforms

Hans-Georg Maassen, President of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, attends a Reuters interview in Berlin, Germany January 30, 2018. Picture taken January 30, 2018. REUTERS/Axel Schmidt

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's domestic intelligence agency on Monday suggested that regulations may be needed if the European Union cannot increase the accountability of social media platforms such as Facebook regarding illegal or dangerous content.

Hans-Georg Maassen told reporters that the European Union was working hard to increase transparency on social media platforms and to raise consciousness among those companies.