Germany will fine Facebook £44m if it fails to tackle hate

FACEBOOK and Twitter face fines of up to £44million in Germany if they fail to remove terrorism videos and other hate speech.

The social networks’ bosses will also be liable for personal fines of up to £4.4million if their companies fail to remove threats of violence, incitement to commit crimes and libellous statements.

The law, approved by the German parliament yesterday, gives online firms 24 hours to delete or block obviously criminal content or seven days to deal with lesser examples.

They will also have to report back to those who file complaints about material, saying how they handled the case.

German justice minister Heiko Maas said action to end the ‘law of the jungle’ online was long overdue.

A German government survey showed Facebook deleted only 39 per cent of content deemed criminal and Twitter 1 per cent, even though they had signed a code of conduct including a pledge to remove hate speech within 24 hours.

Last month Prime Minister Theresa May and French president Emmanuel Macron said they would pursue joint proposals to get tough with internet giants.

But Germany is the first country in Europe to bring in a crackdown. Critics say the law could damage free speech.

Same-sex marriage has been legalised in Germany despite the objections of chancellor Angela Merkel. She voted against the measure yesterday but allowed her MPs a free rein and it was passed by 393 votes to 226. Gay men and women have been allowed to enter into civil partnerships in Germany since 2001.