Telegram is popular with corona deniers, among others – and is therefore repeatedly criticized. German authorities are now in contact with the operators of the messenger service. Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann threatens the company.
The messenger service Telegram is notorious as a playground for conspiracy theorists, rights and criminals. In order to take action against hatred and hate speech on the Internet, the Federal Ministry of the Interior has, according to its own statements, been able to establish direct contact with the management of the controversial messenger service Telegram. This happened under constant pressure. A ministry spokesman told the newspapers of the editorial network Germany that “a constructive discussion with representatives from the top management of Telegram via video conference” took place on Wednesday.
The conversation was conducted by State Secretary Markus Richter from the Federal Ministry of the Interior with other representatives of the Federal Ministry of the Interior and the Federal Ministry of Justice. The top of Telegram declared their greatest possible willingness to cooperate with the German authorities. Telegram has named a high-ranking contact person for future direct exchanges. The contact came about via an email address provided by the Google search engine.
The ministry spokesman told the RND: “The Federal Ministry of the Interior considers this contact to be a great success and will promote and intensify further exchange with Telegram.”
Minister of Justice Buschmann threatens providers with prosecution
Telegram is considered the main medium for coordinating the protests against corona measures and has been criticized for spreading death threats against politicians and false reports. The security authorities had long tried to contact the people behind the platform, who did not comply with requests to delete hate speech and illegal content. Some politicians had therefore threatened to block the service in Germany if Telegram did not comply with local laws.
Federal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann (FDP) meanwhile threatened the platform operators in the “Rheinische Post” and the “General-Anzeiger” with the enforcement of assets and criminal prosecution outside the EU. “The legal position is clear,” he told the newspapers. “For example, we will check whether and where Telegram has assets that we can enforce in the event of a final fine.”
Telegram is more than a messenger service. It offers the public functions of a social network and must comply with the applicable German law. “This includes, among other things, naming a contact person for German authorities if criminal offenses are called for on Telegram, for example by publishing so-called enemy lists.” Telegram does not meet this obligation.
“It takes a certain perseverance to get close to the company”
Buschmann emphasized that there are currently two fine proceedings against Telegram. However, it was not possible to successfully send the due notices for a hearing to the company based in the United Arab Emirates. “Next we will therefore go the route of public service by publishing a notification in the Federal Gazette. So we will not let up.”
However, the challenge lies in enforcing German or European law when a company like Telegram is based in Dubai and therefore outside the EU. “So we don’t lack any criminal law standards or laws, but it takes a certain amount of perseverance to get to the company,” Buschmann told the newspapers and confirmed: “We have them.”
Source: Stern
David William is a talented author who has made a name for himself in the world of writing. He is a professional author who writes on a wide range of topics, from general interest to opinion news. David is currently working as a writer at 24 hours worlds where he brings his unique perspective and in-depth research to his articles, making them both informative and engaging.
