Online hostility and instigation escalating on the web - approximately 3,000 fresh instances reported
In the digital age, online hate crimes have become a growing concern, and Berlin is no exception. The first half of 2021 saw a total of 2,025 cases of hate and incitement registered, marking a decrease from the 3,703 cases reported in 2024 [1].
However, the share of hate crimes conducted online has been on the rise. In 2021, over half (1,483 cases) of the reported cases in Berlin occurred online, a trend that first exceeded 50% in 2024 and continues to persist [2].
The Public Prosecutor's Office in Berlin attributes this trend to the intensification of discourse forms, particularly on social media, which allows for rapid and widespread dissemination of hateful content [3]. Factors contributing to this rise include increased social media and internet usage, insufficient digital safeguards, and political and social tensions reflected and amplified online [4].
To combat this rise, Berlin and Germany have been implementing various measures. The Network Enforcement Act (NetzDG) requires social media companies to promptly remove illegal hate content or face penalties [5]. Authorities have also enhanced their cyber units to detect and investigate hate crimes online, and initiatives target schools and communities to promote digital literacy and counter hate narratives [6].
Political figures have also advocated for age restrictions and limits on smartphone/social media usage for children and adolescents, aiming to reduce exposure to harmful content online [6].
Despite the efforts, the number of cases reported by the Berlin Public Prosecutor's Office in the first half of 2025 decreased to 1,821, a drop from the 2,080 cases in the same period of 2024 [1]. Deputy Chief Johannes Ploog attributes this overall decrease in cases in 2021 to fewer complaints from the political sphere [7].
The Berlin Football Association has also been affected by online hate crimes, with 11 investigation procedures initiated through an agreement with the association [8]. Most incidents involved insults, threats, or incitement to hatred [9].
The Central Office for Hate Crime, established in September 2020 to combat racism, anti-Semitism, and other forms of group-based hostility, reported upon request that around half of the cases registered this year by the Berlin Public Prosecutor's Office occurred online [2].
For more detailed Berlin-specific crime data or current government strategies, specialized local law enforcement or government reports would be recommended.
[1] Berliner Morgenpost [2] Central Office for Hate Crime [3] Berliner Zeitung [4] Tagesspiegel [5] NetzDG [6] Bundesministerium des Innern [7] Der Tagesspiegel [8] Berliner Morgenpost [9] Der Tagesspiegel
- In line with the increasing online presence of content, a significant portion of hate crimes in Berlin are now taking place on social media, contributing to the trend of cyber-hate and incitement.
- Apart from hate crimes, social media platforms in Berlin are alsoused as a platform for discussions and updates on general news, entertainment, crime and justice, sports, and other topics.
- To ensure a safe and respectful online environment for all Berlin residents, authorities have been enforcing regulations like the Network Enforcement Act (NetzDG) and establishing offices like the Central Office for Hate Crime.
