French parliament adopts controversial online hate speech bill

May 13, 2020

French lawmakers on Wednesday approved a controversial bill to ban hate speech on social media, a measure dismissed as censorship by detractors.

The law obliges platforms and search engines to remove offensive content - incitement to hate or violence and racist or religious bigotry - within 24 hours or risk a fine of up to €1,25 million.

The bill was adopted by a show of hands in the lower house National Assembly. Right-wing parties voted against while socialists mainly abstained.

It had in February passed through the upper house senate, where senators
had registered their opposition to the 24-hour rule.

https://www.thelocal.fr/20200513/fre...te-speech-bill