No Place for Hate

Germany has passed a law under which social media networks would have to bring down any hate speech posted on their sites within 24 hours or face a fi ne of upto 50 million euros. The law would give social networks a week’s time to decide on cases that are less clear, but for ‘ illegal content’ such as hate speech, defamation and incitement to violence, the duration granted is only 24 hours. Although the initial fi ne on the companies would be of fi ve million euros, it could be hiked to 50 million euros. The law is facing a backlash from digital activists who say that it infringes on their right to freedom of speech and expression.