German cabinet approves plan to fine social media over hate speech

Berlin

THE German cabinet approved a plan on Wednesday to fine social networks up to 50 million euros (S$75 million) if they do not remove hateful postings quickly, prompting concerns the law could limit free expression.

Germany already has some of the world's toughest hate speech laws covering defamation, public incitement to commit crimes and threats of violence, backed up by prison sentences for Holocaust denial or inciting hatred against minorities. "There should be just as little tolerance for criminal rabble rousing on social networks as on the street," Justice Minister Heiko Maas said in a st…