Twitter Faces Big Fines in Germany for Failing to Pull 'Clearly Illegal' Content
Elon Musk’s free speech approach to Twitter is colliding with German regulators, who may fine the company for failing to take down illegal content.
Germany’s Federal Office of Justice today announced(Opens in a new window) it had started “fine proceedings” against Twitter for possibly violating the country’s Network Enforcement Act. The law essentially requires social media companies to act within 24 hours to remove “clearly illegal” content after it’s been reported, and within seven days to remove other less-obvious illegal postings.
The illegal content can include incitements of hate, defamatory speech, and personal threats. Under Musk’s leadership, Twitter has neglected to crack down on a wave of illegal content over a four-month period, claims the Federal Office of Justice, which says the problems are “systemic,” warranting a potential fine.
“Numerous content was reported to the BfJ (Federal Office of Justice) that was published on Twitter, which the authority considers illegal and, despite user complaints, was not deleted or blocked by the provider within the legally stipulated periods,” the government agency says.
“All contents contain similar, unjustified, defamatory expressions of opinion, all of which are directed against the same person,” the office adds, without elaborating.
The German government is now giving Twitter the chance to respond as part of the fine proceedings. If Twitter is found to be breaking the country’s Network Enforcement Act, then it could face fines up to €50 million ($54.7 million).
The scrutiny comes after independent researchers noticed a surge in hate speech against Black and gay people circulating on Twitter since Musk took over the platform in late October. Meanwhile, the
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