> The law applies only to a narrowly defined class of hate speech. The thing is that (despite the reporting in the English-language media), it's not actually a

> The law applies only to a narrowly defined class of hate speech. The thing is that (despite the reporting in the English-language media), it's not actually a hate speech law [1]. The problem is that social media companies are being deputized as enforcers of parts of the penal code without proper qualifications, safeguards, or ways to appeal (unlike real courts). > As such, nobody's freedom of speech is more limited today than it was a week ago. Yes, it is. Speech cannot only be constrained through legislating what types of speech are legal, but also through creating enforcement mechanisms that encourage platforms to be overzealous in what they don't allow. [1] The whole terminology does not really make sense in the context of German law. Not to mention that even in the broadest sense, it's inaccurate, as the law also applies to things such as illegal pornography and threats (regardless of motivation).