WhatsApp has revolutionized the way we communicate. The messenger allows messages, pictures, videos, etc. to be distributed, above all free of charge, but also extensively. However, a major problem has long since emerged at this point. This should now be tackled even better and means for WhatsApp 2022 a big innovation.
WhatsApp 2022: This is new from February
It is known that things will change. At least various new functions for WhatsApp 2022 have already been announced. However, what will come into play from tomorrow has nothing to do with it. Rather, it is about protection against hate speech, which is still too easy and anonymous to distribute, not only via Messenger.
In February, the law passed by the Bundestag to “Combat Right-Wing Extremism and Hate Crime” is to come into force. For messengers like WhatsApp, but also operators of other social networks and media, it means the following changes:
Valid for Facebook, WhatsApp and Co. 2022:
- The obligation to report death threats, inflammatory statements and other criminal content to the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) (so far only the deletion and blocking of users was mandatory)
- Payment of fines for inadequate reporting systems
- Clear legal basis for providers to provide information to law enforcement and security authorities
WhatsApp and Co. have to pass on IP addresses
The new obligations that will be imposed on social media such as WhatsApp from 2022 include reporting the IP address when reporting. This should enable potential perpetrators to be identified more quickly. The attitude of politicians towards hate online is clear:
“We must stop the ever-new waves of hate. Contempt for human beings, racism, anti-Semitism – all of this is omnipresent on the Internet. Threats of murder or rape are not expressions of opinion, but criminal offenses that must be prosecuted consistently.”
Federal Minister of Defence, Christine Lambrecht (SPD) 2021 via Merkur.de
How it will be implemented remains to be seen. Often enough there are loopholes that operators of social networks and media try to exploit. A check is often not optimally possible due to a lack of capacity for follow-up.
Sources: Federal Government, Merkur.de