In view of criticism of Network Enforcement Act (NetzDG) that has been in force since beginning of year, federal government wants to "very closely evaluate" and "draw conclusions" if necessary. That said government spokesman Steffen Salmon. The Federal Ministry shared that social networks would have to submit reports by June/July, which should indicate what was deleted on what basis. "This creates transparency," said a spokeswoman. Under managing federal Justizminister Heike Maas (SPD), law was launched and passed.
Sally said that fundamental freedom of expression is of highest importance. In recent years, however, it has been observed how hateful, offending comments on social networks have increased, in which "a problem for democratic society and its culture of debate" exists. The NetzDG react with "a new approach". The intense discussion that already existed in development phase of law was not surprising.
The Network Enforcement Act has been in force since 1 January. Providers of social networks such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube are henceforth obligated to remove or block "obviously illegal content" within 24 hours of receiving a complaint. For non-obvious illegal content, you have seven days. For violations, companies are threatened with fines of millions of dollars.
Within a few days practical application of law has provided for criticism, Häme and confusion. Critics fear that Twitter and Co., along with clear violations of law, will also judge many cases of legal doubt. But this is a matter of courts. It is also feared that in cases of doubt, operators prefer to delete or block – Quasi in advance Communicator obedience. This could lead to censorship of unpleasant contributions of any kind and ultimately to restriction of freedom of expression.
With blocking of Twitter account of satire magazine Titanic, ir fears had been confirmed, said Frank everywhere, federal chairman of German Journalists ' Association (DJV). In a tweet, magazine had taken up a controversial contribution by AfD politician Beatrix von Storch parodistically, using term "barbarian hordes".
Sticking to " Gaga rule" makes little senseThe DJV called on Bundestag to "draw consequences of devastating experiences" of new law. There is no point in "blind obedience to a coalition that no longer exists to cling to Gaga rule of NetzDG," said everywhere. On weekend, FDP, Greens and left had already called for abolition of law since beginning of year after several Twitter accounts and tweets had been blocked.
Finally, a tweet from federal Justizminister Maas has also disappeared, but it is still unclear wher this is in connection with new law. In year 2010 Maas had designated ex-Bundesbank executive director Thilo Sarrazin as "idiot". Both ministry and minister himself stated that y had nothing to do with deletion. However, Twitter does not delete any posts within NetzDG. The company only pulls back individual tweets, so it blocks m. With relevant tweet from Maas, however, content does not exist, say, tweet was not only blocked but deleted.
Date Of Update: 09 January 2018, 12:04
