A new law has been passed in Germany that will see social media companies fined if they do not remove "obviously illegal" hate speech and other criminal material. Content that is not obviously unlawful must be assessed within seven days. Failure to comply will result in a €5m fine, which could rise as high as €50m depending on the severity of the offence. Some human rights and industry groups have criticised the tight time limits, saying they will lead to accidental censorship as tech companies err on the side of caution to avoid penalties. Would you support such a law being passed in the UK, and do you think the time limits are too strict?

A new law has been passed in Germany that will see social media companies fined if they do not remove "obviously illegal" hate speech and other criminal material. Content that is not obviously unlawful must be assessed within seven days. Failure to comply will result in a €5m fine, which could rise as high as €50m depending on the severity of the offence. Some human rights and industry groups have criticised the tight time limits, saying they will lead to accidental censorship as tech companies err on the side of caution to avoid penalties. Would you support such a law being passed in the UK, and do you think the time limits are too strict? Published on 3 July 2017 → Survey conducted on 3 July 2017 on 4310 GB adults

All adults

Region

Gender

Politics

Age

I would support such a law in the UK, and the time limits are not too strict

47%

I would support such a law in the UK, but the time limits are too strict

24%

I would not support such a law in the UK

Don't know

20%

I would support such a law in the UK, and the time limits are not too strict

47%

I would support such a law in the UK, but the time limits are too strict

24%

I would not support such a law in the UK

Don't know

20%

Select a country

Policing and crime in England and Wales: the public view

Attitudes to policing and the wider law and order system

How do Britons feel about shoplifting?

Eight months on, three quarters of Britons still support online age verification laws

How do Scots feel about the abolished “not proven” verdict?

What do Britons think of gun restrictions in 2026?

How optimistic or pessimistic are Brits about the influence of the internet on society?

Do immigrants from Germany make a positive or negative contribution to life in Britain today?

How effectve are fines at reducing crime?