The German cabinet has approved a bill that will require social media sites such as Facebook and YouTube to report certain hate speech to the police.
According to the bill passed by ministers, internet companies will have to flag far-right propaganda, graphic portrayals of violence, murder or rape threats, and posts indicating that someone is preparing a terrorist attack or distributing child sexual abuse images.
"Wir müssen den Nährboden für #Rechtsextremismus austrocknen. Die Flut menschenverachtender Volksverhetzungen und Bedrohungen im Netz lässt die Hemmschwelle sinken. Mit dem neuen Gesetzentwurf werden wir dies bekämpfen." BM Lambrecht zum heutigen Kabinettsbeschluss. pic.twitter.com/qcCadQIlif
— BM der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz (@BMJV_Bund) February 19, 2020
Social media sites are already required to delete such posts.
The measures, which still need to be approved by parliament, will also see the definition of criminal hate speech extended to include threats of rape or property damage and expressions of approval for serious crimes.
The measures, which still need to be approved by parliament, will also see the definition of criminal hate speech extended to include threats of rape or property damage and expressions of approval for serious crimes.
Crimes motivated by anti-Semitism will also result in increased sentences.
In a further measure, authorities will make it easier for politicians, volunteers and journalists to prevent others from obtaining their home addresses from public registers.
Jurists estimate the number of online hate speech cases in Germany each year to be in six figures.
The measures, which still need to be approved by parliament, will also see the definition of criminal hate speech extended to include threats of rape or property damage and expressions of approval for serious crimes.
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