Commissioner advocate for escalated measures against QAnon conspiracy group, citing its anti-Semitic nature.
Germany is bolstering efforts to combat the proliferation of conspiratorial ideologies, particularly QAnon, and far-right extremist movements. In a conversation with Spiegel, the Federal Government's Anti-Semitism Commissioner, Felix Klein, underscored the need for comprehensive measures, citing QAnon's ability to connect with diverse conspiracy myths and the role of anti-Semitism as a sinister unifier.
Klein advocates stricter regulations for messaging services, comparing them to platforms like Twitter or Facebook. He also emphasizes the importance of the domestic intelligence agency taking a more active role in monitoring the movement. Additionally, net politicians, such as Green Party MP Konstantin von Notz, are calling for more decisive action. Notz suggests that security agencies should focus on gathering information on individuals actively spreading these conspiracy ideologies and questioning the democratic order.
The federal government, according to Klein, has yet to adequately address the issue of QAnon. Benjamin Strasser, the FDP's religious affairs spokesman in the Bundestag, shares similar concerns, fearing a resurgence of anti-Semitism. He advocates for improved analytical capabilities from security agencies and enhanced internet education. legall steps, Strasser believes, must be taken to effectively combat anti-Semitism and incitement to hatred.
QAnon, a conspiracy theory that originated in the U.S. and was designated a potential terrorist threat by the FBI in 2019, has been spreading in Germany. It is disseminated through numerous websites, blogs, YouTube channels, and messaging services like Telegram.
In May 2025, Germany banned the largest Reich citizen movement group, a far-right extremist organization that rejected the legitimacy of the German state and propagated antisemitic conspiracy narratives. This ban was followed by the arrest of four of the group's leaders. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has been monitoring Reichsbürger (Reich citizen) groups since at least 2016 due to their extremist tendencies and potential to disrupt state authority.
Security agencies in Germany are increasingly involved in tracking extremist content, both online and offline. Their role includes cooperation with social media and messaging platforms to mitigate the influence of conspiracy-driven movements. However, the balance between censorship and free expression remains delicate, given Germany's historical sensitivities and constitutional protections.
This increased focus on combating conspiracy ideologies reflects a broader European struggle to find an effective and legal response to such movements without overstepping into censorship. German policymakers are cautious but firm about curbing extremist content perceived as a threat to democratic order, particularly in light of mainstream platforms like Meta reducing content moderation, which may embolden extremist groups.
Other politicians, like Green Party MP Konstantin von Notz, urge stricter monitoring of individuals spreading conspiracy ideologies, such as QAnon, within Germany's domestic intelligence agency's scope. Furthermore, Notz suggests that focusing on gathering information about these individuals and their activities could help safeguard the democratic order, as seen in the domain of general-news, crime-and-justice.
