German police raids citizens for 'hate and agitation'

The Federal Criminal Police Office is conducting 170 raids across Germany targeting "hate and incitement" on the Internet. These operations began early Tuesday, focusing on individuals accused of insulting politicians and "promoting hatred" online.

'Hate crimes' or intimidation of the population?

In North Rhine-Westphalia, 14 raids are part of this nationwide effort. Interior Minister Herbert Reul stated, "Digital arsonists must not be able to hide behind their cell phones or computers." Authorities noted a significant rise in so-called "hate postings," with 10,732 recorded in 2024, up 34% from the previous year.

The harsh government crackdown is part of an ongoing initiative against online "hate speech," with more reports being generated by the Central Reporting Office for Criminal Content on the Internet.

Germans feel they can't freely express opinions anymore

On the other hand, Germans increasingly feel that they can no longer express their opinions freely, as recent surveys have shown.