Germany doesn't rule out closing Telegram – interior minister
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Re: Germany doesn't rule out closing Telegram – interior minister
#2Maybe they could license the Great Firewall from China, they have many years of experience with that kind of thing.
While they are at it, they could look into other fancy tech from China, for example video surveillance that checks if people conform to Corona rules.
After all, why not - China seems to be so successful, what could go wrong?
Re: Germany doesn't rule out closing Telegram – interior minister
#3Send dissent back to kitchens.
Re: Germany doesn't rule out closing Telegram – interior minister
#4Maybe they could license the Great Firewall from China, they have many years of experience with that kind of thing. While they are at it, they could look into other fancy tech from China, for example video surveillance that checks if people conform to Corona rules. After all, why not - China seems to be so successful, what could go wrong?
Nothing goes wrong in China, comrade.
Re: Germany doesn't rule out closing Telegram – interior minister
#5This will be interesting.
Some background for the discussion:
- Germany has a different take on freedom of speech from the US. There are things that you cannot say (holocaust denial, inciting racial violence). We can argue about this, but it's deeply ingrained in the legal system and unrealistic to change
- Germany has a special law regulating responsibilities and content moderation in social media (NetzDG, think section 230 but wider). This law - among other things - mandates content moderation and cooperation with law enforcement
- A key point in the debate surrounding Telegram is the question of whether or not it is a "platform", that is an open social network. Telegram argues that it's a messenger, but in practice, there are many open and public groups used for public debates. So Germany argues that it should be regulated in accordance with the NetzDG, which Telegram denies.
- Recently, there have been a number of death threats and criminal conspiracies which were orchestrated via Telegram; on top, a huge chunk of covid deniers and co are active in this space.
- Telegram so far has not cooperated at all (in contrast with other social platforms, even TikTok).
So in essence, this is currently a battle about the German government saying: Look here, you got a bunch of criminals and terrorists (literally, with weapons) on your platform, you need to do something about it.
[edit] Here is a report on the assassination plot and subsequent raids: https://www.euronews.com/2021/12/15/german-police-launch-rai...
Re: Germany doesn't rule out closing Telegram – interior minister
#6yeah, that's going to work. just like outlawing porn sites that wouldn't use a german age verification system ;)
Re: Germany doesn't rule out closing Telegram – interior minister
#7This will be interesting. Some background for the discussion: - Germany has a different take on freedom of speech from the US. There are things that you cannot say (holocaust denial, inciting racial violence). We can argue about this, but it's deeply ingrained in the legal system and unrealistic to change - Germany has a special law regulating responsibilities and content moderation in social media (NetzDG, think sec…
The notion of a government watching over group conversations is scary.
Re: Germany doesn't rule out closing Telegram – interior minister
#8This will be interesting. Some background for the discussion: - Germany has a different take on freedom of speech from the US. There are things that you cannot say (holocaust denial, inciting racial violence). We can argue about this, but it's deeply ingrained in the legal system and unrealistic to change - Germany has a special law regulating responsibilities and content moderation in social media (NetzDG, think sec…
Terrorists AND covid deniers? By God, Telegram must be closed ASAP!
Re: Germany doesn't rule out closing Telegram – interior minister
#9The collective panic and Luddism about Telegram in Germany is really scary. I watch Tagesschau (probably most respected news show) every evening. Any time Telegram is mentioned it's always being attacked, as if it's only purpose was to enable crime and terrorism.
Re: Germany doesn't rule out closing Telegram – interior minister
#10This will be interesting. Some background for the discussion: - Germany has a different take on freedom of speech from the US. There are things that you cannot say (holocaust denial, inciting racial violence). We can argue about this, but it's deeply ingrained in the legal system and unrealistic to change - Germany has a special law regulating responsibilities and content moderation in social media (NetzDG, think sec…
The notion of a government watching over group conversations is scary .
Sadly to most Europeans it's not scary. Even with the terrible track record of European governments.