Telegram has long been criticized for the fact that hate speech and hatred as well as conspiracy myths easily reach millions of people through the messenger. Now the company has apparently given in to pressure from the federal government and 64 Telegram channels locked.
Telegram channels
A few weeks ago, Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said that she wanted to take more action against Telegram and declared a shutdown as a last resort. The reason for the criticism: Numerous telegram channels are used by right-wing extremists and lateral thinkers to easily spread their ideas.
According to information from the Süddeutsche Zeitung, the company gave in to pressure from the Federal Ministry of the Interior and the Federal Criminal Police Office and blocked 64 Telegram channels that were running misanthropic propaganda.
Faeser wants to continue to take action
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser told the Süddeutsche Zeitung that she intends to continue taking action in the Telegram case.
“On Telegram we are constantly experiencing new waves of hate and threats against people and against our democracy. On the other hand, we act quickly and consistently.”
Nancy Faser
The politician also wants to urge Telegram to meet its responsibilities and legal obligations.
“Telegram must no longer be an accelerator for right-wing extremists, conspiracy ideologues and other agitators. Death threats and other dangerous hate mail must be deleted and face significant criminal penalties.”
Nancy Faser
Since taking office, Nancy Faeser has put increasing pressure on Telegram to get Telegram to cooperate.
Why is Telegram dangerous?
Numerous right-wing extremists use Telegram and spread misanthropic ideas. There are also many radical opponents of vaccination and lateral thinkers on the platform. There they network, for example, for protests against corona measures.
According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, Attila Hildmann’s channel has not been available in Germany since Tuesday. The telegram channel of the conspiracy ideologue cannot be displayed “because it violates local laws,” it says.
Source: Süddeutsche Zeitung