Politicians and experts alike have criticised Germany's reporting centres for confusing opinion with hate speech, as concerns continue to rise over state-funded "trusted flaggers".

Berlin

Lawyers and politicians in Germany have expressed concerns that state-funded reporting centers, known as 'trusted flaggers', may be restricting freedom of expression online. These centers, established to combat online hate, have reportedly misjudged opinions as hate speech and, in isolated cases, citizens have faced police raids for posting government-critical memes.

Under the EU's Digital Services Act, trusted flaggers are responsible for removing illegal content from the internet. However, some lawyers argue that there are too many political connections influencing their actions. Members of the governing CDU party have indicated reluctance to continue commissioning these flaggers, pointing to a possible government dispute. Germany is ahead of most EU countries in appointing trusted flaggers, with fourteen member states yet to do so.

German officials worry 'trusted flaggers' may curb free speech online

Some lawyers and politicians in Germany are becoming concerned that freedom of expression is being restricted. They say state-funded reporting centers established to combat online hate too often misjudge opinions for hate. In isolated cases, citizens have reportedly been victims of police raids for posting memes critical of the government. Two such NGOs are now so-called trusted flaggers. Under the EU's Digital Services Act, they're supposed to remove illegal content from the internet. But lawyers say they see too many connections to politics. Some politicians in the governing CDU don't want to continue commissioning these trusted flaggers, indicating a possible government dispute. The coalition agreement states that false statements of fact are not covered by freedom of expression. Germany is also further ahead than other countries with trusted flaggers. Fourteen EU countries still haven't appointed them.

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