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The new “Hate on the Net” law is not just causing waves in Austria. If large international platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Google and YouTube refuse to remove hateful posts in the future, they face fines of up to 10 million euros in extreme cases.
Consequently, Silicon Valley giants are reacting harshly to Austria’s new law, indirectly threatening non-implementation: Google and Facebook are calling for a “European solution rather than national approaches.” “We are not sure how this new law will affect fundamental rights such as freedom of expression and access to information,” said a Google spokesman. On Facebook they point out that they have 150 billion posts and messages every day. “Austria only plays a subordinate role here,” said a Facebook insider.
No office in Austria
Also: Facebook does not have a registered office in Austria. Consequently, it is almost impossible to sue for the violations. Google could also open its office in Austria at any time.
Block for Austro users?
“As a last resort, Facebook could even withdraw completely from Austria if maximum fines of 10 million euros were imposed,” says social media expert Philipp Ploner. Austrian users could be geoblocked on Facebook and Instagram! That wouldn’t be the first time: Google stopped its news service in Spain on short notice in 2014 when the government passed stricter laws. After Spain withdrew, Google brought the site back online.
Edtstadler: “I can’t imagine a lockdown”
AUSTRIA: Have you talked to Facebook about the package yet?
Karoline Edtstadler: I had contact with Facebook and Google beforehand – not during the negotiations, nor is it my job to provide someone with information about the negotiations. I plan to speak with these platforms next week. I also want to explain why we do this. The point is, these platforms take their responsibility seriously. They also offer opportunities to threaten people or produce things that are poisonous to our society.
AUSTRIA: Could Facebook and Google block Austria to bring you to your knees?
Edtstadler: I can’t imagine something like this happening. We are already the third country in the EU to apply such a law. We sent a message to the platforms: continue, Austria will not be the last country to do this. And we encourage the Commission to tackle a European solution. That will not be the last step.
“Certainly the death penalty”: a new threat to Zadic
Walter E. has already been convicted of verbal attacks on Eva Glawischnig. Now the Viennese woman, who according to the court report is considered “dangerous” and “crazy”, continues an orgy of threats against the green minister Alma Zadić. Initially she threatened on her blog: “You will not see the birth of your child”, this time she writes: “I don’t know (sic!) What sentences the judges will pronounce. But for high treason there will surely be the death penalty ”. By the way, this “is not a death threat against this minister”, but “only a forecast of what will happen shortly.” Scandalous: E. has not yet been arrested by the judiciary …
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