Hamburg Offers Online Service to Report Hate Speech

The city of Hamburg has introduced a specialized online service designed to assist operators of online communities in reporting hate speech and harassment directly to the public prosecutor’s office. Managed by the Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection, the initiative aims to streamline the legal process for addressing criminal content, thereby fostering safer digital environments for users and companies alike.

The platform allows participating organizations to file criminal charges with minimal administrative burden. Users can submit reports through a digital form, which supports the inclusion of evidentiary materials such as screenshots and short video files. The service permits anonymous reporting via a company account, and in instances where a formal criminal complaint is legally required, the system facilitates the upload of signed documentation.

To support the adoption of this tool, the Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection provides free online training sessions for companies interested in utilizing the service. This initiative reflects a broader effort to improve the prosecution of online offenses by lowering the barrier for community managers to engage with law enforcement. Further details regarding the reporting process and the project, known as "OHNe Hass," are available through the official portal of the Hamburg Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection.