Dealing with digital social networks: The German "Netzwerkdurchsetzungsgesetz"(Network Enforcement Act)-A challenging balance between combating hate crimes and protecting the freedom of expression

Abstract

The regulation of digital social networks with regard to the dissemination of the so-called “hate crimes” has become a current issue within the German public and the legal community. With the “Network Enforcement Law”, the German Parliament has passed an “experimental” law, which proved to be rather efficient in practice but also invited some criticism from human rights groups and is currently under review by the European Commission.