Social networks could be hit with hefty fines for ‘hate speech’ under new German law

‘Germany may tighten up its laws on online hate speech in a move that opponents decry as at odds with free speech.
Under the Social Networks Enforcement Law, which goes before parliament on Friday, social networks with over 2 million users must have a system for reporting so-called “hate speech,” which – depending on its severity – must be removed within a week. “Clearly illegal” content must be removed within 24 hours.
These complaints may be processed by a neutral third party approved by the Justice Ministry. Companies which consistently fail to remove content in time could be hit with a 50 million euro ($56 million) fine, according to AP.
The bill, proposed in in March by Justice Minister Heiko Maas of the center-left Social Democratic Party, has been prompted by a sharp rise in anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim rhetoric online as a result of the ongoing migrant crisis and terror attacks in Europe. Maas and supporters of his bill link these online commentaries to hate crimes and other far-right activity.’
Read more: Social networks could be hit with hefty fines for ‘hate speech’ under new German law