Facebook, Google and Twitter Agree To Delete Hate Speech In Germany (reuters.com)

An anonymous reader writes: Facebook, Google, and Twitter have agreed to remove hateful posts from their platforms within 24 hours in Germany, officials announced yesterday. The web companies committed to the move in a new agreement with German authorities, after coming under increased pressure to help curb racism online in the country. The agreement will require web companies operating in Germany to conform with the law when monitoring hate speech expressed on their platforms, instead of referring to internal policies. The German law stipulates that any comment inciting violence against ethnic or religious groups is punishable by up to three years in prison.

Comments

Re:I know what people will say

[31415926535897]

Why would people say that? Germany has never has true freedom of speech. Everyone seems to import the US perspective of Freedom of Speech on other countries. Germany does technically have Freedom of Expression in their Basic Law, but there are so many exceptions (like hate speech, holocaust denial and more), that it might as well not be called Freedom of Expression.

how is it defined

[Geoffrey.landis]

The definition of hate speech is right there in the article:
"any comment inciting violence against ethnic or religious groups."

More specifically, from the article linked, a comment is to be deleted: "when it is about criminal expressions, sedition, incitement to carry out criminal offences that threaten people"

Re:Islam isn’t the problem; assholes are

[SillyHamster]

1000 years ago, Christians were roaming the world, killing non-believers. How is this a whole lot different?

Which Christians are you talking about?

Looking at the history of Islam and Europe, 1000 years ago ...

• 1012: Caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, founder of the Druze sect and sixth Fatimid Caliph in Egypt, orders the destruction of all Christian and Jewish houses of worship in his lands.
• 1012: Berber forces capture Cordova and order that half the population be executed.
• 1013: Jews are expelled from the Umayyad Caliphate of Cordova, then ruled by Sulaimann.
• 1015: Arab Muslim forces conquer Sardinia.

The first Crusades don't happen until almost 100 years later, in 1096, after yet more Islamic conquest and expansion.

So 1000 years ago, Muslims were conquering nations and killing unbelievers. Why are you downplaying Islamic violence by creating a false equivalence with Christians?

Re:Chilling

[Anonymous Coward]

Christianity is reformed Judaism, Old Testament is not law that applies to Christians. The laws of Leviticus were turned into "turn the other cheek" by Jesus.

You cannot compare Christians and Muslims by quoting from the Old Testament. That is simply ignorant.

There is however plenty for you to quote in the New Testament. Get back to reading and come back with some more useful examples.