German police raid 36 homes over hateful postings on social media

[Kontinuum]

In a coordinated campaign across 14 states, German police have raided the homes of 36 people accused of hateful postings over social media, including threats, coercion and incitement to racism.

Most of the raids concerned politically motivated right-wing incitement, according to the Federal Criminal Police Office, whose officers conducted home searches and interrogations. But the raids also targeted two people accused of left-wing extremist content, as well as one person accused of making threats or harassment based on someone's sexual orientation.

"The still high incidence of punishable hate posting shows a need for police action," Holger Muench, president of the Federal Criminal Police Office, said in a statement. "Our free society must not allow a climate of fear, threat, criminal violence and violence either on the street or on the internet."

The raids come as Germans are debating the draft of a new social media law aimed at cracking down on hate speech, a measure that an array of experts said was unconstitutional at a parliamentary hearing this week.

The measure, championed by Justice Minister Heiko Maas for passage this month, would fine Facebook, Twitter and other outlets up to $73 million (50 million euros) if they failed to remove hate speech and other forms of illegal content.

Under German law, social media users are subject to a range of punishments for posting illegal material, including a prison sentence of up to five years for inciting racial hatred.

Under the draft statute, networks must offer a readily available complaint process for posts that may amount to threats, hate speech, defamation or incitement to commit a crime, among other offences.

Social media outlets would have 24 hours to delete "obviously criminal content" and a week to decide on more ambiguous cases.

http://www.smh.com.au/technology/web...20-gwv6h2.html

[Deleted]

I suppose that German police dealt with Kurdish and Lebanese crime clans that were dominating organised crime there since they have resources to raid homes of their citizens over social media shitposting, right ?

[Deletedaccount1]

Well this is the same country which doesn't let you stick your hand above you at a 45 degree angle.

[Nathanyel]

I suppose that German police dealt with Kurdish and Lebanese crime clans that were dominating organised crime there since they have resources to raid homes of their citizens over social media shitposting, right ?

I suppose there's more than one department in the German police.

[Deleted]

Good, shoot them too.

[Tech Priest Bojangles]

Wow, Germany. What the hell happened to you?

[StayTuned]

I suppose there's more than one department in the German police.

Insane thought. Everyone knows that the "Police" can only ever do one thing at a time. It's one single person, after all.



On a more serious note, this is Germany for ya. We can enjoy almost unlimited freedom on our Autobahn, but don't you dare troll on the Internet, the police is gonna dun you goofed.

[tikcol]

Try to raid my home. I dare you der Mistkerl

[Deleted]

Wow, Germany. What the hell happened to you?

PC happened and now they have gestapo state.

[Dr Assbandit]

Try to raid my home. I dare you der Mistkerl

Yes I'm sure you'll be able to beat back someone armed/wearing body armor Mr. Keyboard warrior .

Back on topic this is just plain stupid and a waste of resources. They should only act if there is verifiable intent on impending harm towards someone. Otherwise, this just makes people resent their government particularly since chances are good many of the raided guys were just shit-posting for the "kek".

[Freighter]

Wow, Germany. What the hell happened to you?

What is the problem exactly?

[Aggrophobic]

Wow, Germany. What the hell happened to you?

Making threats, hate speech and forcing people to do stuff against their will has been illegal in Germany for quite a while. Same as in most countries, you know.

[tikcol]

Yes I'm sure you'll be able to beat back someone armed/wearing body armor Mr. Keyboard warrior .

Back on topic this is just plain stupid and a waste of resources. They should only act if there is verifiable intent on impending harm towards someone. Otherwise, this just makes people resent their government particularly since chances are good many of the raided guys were just shit-posting for the "kek".

You have no idea what you're talking about. I'm a Kommando Spezialkräfte. Also known as a german rambo.

I bring that experience into the internet, so i'm also a keyboard warrior

[Nalorakk]

Obvious what side of the political spectrums are full of hate and goes to severely inhumane manners to monopolize politics and criminalize anyone who object. Whatever makes anyone think their injustice is approved of, other than the fact they are made law by the worst imaginable traitors a country can have.

The activity is nothing special for Germany. Witch-hunt of right wing is widespread throughout the west. One only need to look at U.S. , or this forum for that matter.

Why should people who spew hatred not be punished?
If you can get in trouble for it IRL, why shouldn't you get in trouble for it on the internet?

[Deleted]

PC happened and now they have gestapo state.

That you white people are defending bullying and hate speech is funny. Do you white males lack emphaty towards others? I am really growing tired of you white males now..

[Nathanyel]

You have no idea what you're talking about. I'm a Kommando Spezialkräfte. Also known as a german rambo.

No one in the German Armed Forces would train someone like you. Oh wait, you're just stringing together German words, my bad, here, lemme put on some Rammstein for you.

[Canpinter]

Why should people who spew hatred not be punished?
If you can get in trouble for it IRL, why shouldn't you get in trouble for it on the internet?

Why on earth would you want the government to have the authority to decide if your words are "hateful" enough to send you to jail?

[Charge me Doctor]

not a popular opinion, but probably you have to think twice before posting "threats, coercion and incitement to racism"

[Nalorakk]

Why on earth would you want the government to have the authority to decide if your words are "hateful" enough to send you to jail?

Because I'm not paranoid and should I feel like it's exploitative, I would like to see changes to the system.

But still better than allowing people to vomit awful hateful things.

Keeping in mind this is only 36 people out of the entire population of Germany, that's hardly anything.

[Freighter]

Why on earth would you want the government to have the authority to decide if your words are "hateful" enough to send you to jail?

Less friction in society if the state takes care of it before it leads to physical conflicts between the groups.