Austria’s Higher Regional Court of Vienna has ruled that simply “liking” a defamatory comment on social media does not constitute a criminal act of defamation. The case stemmed from a complaint against a member of the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) regarding a “like” given to a comment perceived as insulting. The court determined that expressing approval through a “like” does not meet the legal threshold for intent to defame. This decision clarifies the boundaries of online responsibility and freedom of expression in Austria. Legal experts suggest the ruling could have broader implications for similar cases involving online interactions. The FPÖ had initially used the case to criticize political opponents. The court’s decision effectively dismisses the claim against the FPÖ member.