Germany vows to combat hate speech, extremism on Telegram

The German government said it has had a “constructive discussion” with Telegram in the light of hate speech and calls for violence shared in the app’s chat groups.
German Interior Minister, Nancy Faeser, disclosed this on her Twitter page on Friday. “In a first constructive discussion on further cooperation, we agreed to continue and to intensify the exchange,” Mrs Faeser wrote.
She said the government would build on this dialogue without giving further details.
Her comments came as European Union justice ministers met to discuss hate speech online.
Telegram has come under intense scrutiny in Germany during the pandemic because it has become the preferred platform for many extremists to organise protests or spread misinformation.
Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office recently announced that it would begin monitoring Telegram content more closely.
The free-to-use instant messaging service has a reputation for allowing any content without moderation.
Mrs Faeser, a social democrat who has herself been a target of threatening abuse online, vowed to make combatting right-wing extremism a priority when the new German coalition government took office in December 2021.
(dpa/NAN)
More from Peoples Gazette

Economy
Buhari regime will continue to borrow without subsidy removal: Femi Adesina
“You know how much could have been saved if the subsidy was removed and how it could have been diverted to other areas and spheres of national life.

Lagos
New passport processing takes six weeks; avoid racketeers, Lagos NIS warns
The Lagos NIS office said Nigerians should utilise the NIS website when applying for passports and to supply all the information required.

Port Harcourt
Wike charges traditional rulers to stop illegal oil bunkering or face deposition
The tough-talking governor reiterated his resolve to sustain the war against illegal oil bunkering and artisanal refining activities in the state.

States
Police arrest transborder kidnap kingpin in Kwara
The police said that the suspect is a citizen of Benin Republic.

States
Zamfara Assembly begins impeachment moves against deputy governor Aliyu
The deputy governor, who has become leader of opposition party PDP in the state, is being accused of abuse of office and financial misappropriation.

States
Buhari speaks on Amaechi’s Daura chieftaincy
The Daura Emirate Council, where Mr Buhari hails from, will on Saturday bestow the title; “Dan Amana,” (the trusted one) on Mr Amaechi.

Sport
Middlesbrough dump out Man United from FA Cup
Anthony Elanga’s miss saw Boro celebrate a famous penalty kicks shootout victory at Old Trafford.