13.01.2018

Social media companies could face big fines in Germany if they don’t remove hate speech

Social media and other technology companies operating in Germany could now face massive fines - up to 50 million euros ($60 million) - if they fail to promptly remove hate speech and other content from their platforms.

The German Network Enforcement Act went into full effect on the first day of 2018. Companies like Facebook and Twitter will now have 24 hours to remove content that clearly violates already-existing provisions in Germany’s criminal code. Those provisions prohibit hate speech, defamation, insults and other speech. In more complex cases where a violation is not clear, companies may have up to a week to review content.

Full text of Network Enforcement Act

Ein Service des deutschen Präventionstages.
www.praeventionstag.de