Police in many European countries crack down on online hate crimes, suspected of inciting others to violent online, spreading xenophobic information, etc.

IT House reported on April 10 that European media reported that police in many European countries recently launched a surprise inspection operation to combat hate crimes, and launched a surprise inspection operation on 176 suspects in 11 European countries. The individuals were allegedly involved in inciting others to commit violence online or in real life, and spreading racist and xenophobic messages, among other things.

It is reported that this is the second EU-wide joint action day against hate crimes, mainly supported by Europol’s European Counter-Terrorism Centre (ECTC) and led by the French police, targeting racist, xenophobic hatred on the Internet and in the real world Action against speech and other hate crimes.

IT House understands that Europol explained that governments are trying to prove that the Internet is “not an extrajudicial place” and that those who spread hatred online will be prosecuted.

On April 7, 2022, law enforcement teams raided multiple locations in Europe, targeting 176 people.

In Austria, for example, authorities conducted 12 house searches, interrogated 8 suspects, and seized a large number of electronic devices, mobile phones, weapons and some propaganda materials. Meanwhile, Spain launched an operation against five suspects, arresting four of them for spreading hate speech online.

German police said they raided six apartments in Hamburg and four properties in Berlin. On Friday, six suspects in Hamburg were charged with posting messages on social media, some of which contained content that was abusive, threatening or likely to incite others to commit violence.

The action also includes coordinated referrals targeting hate speech sections online, targeting international markets such as Luxembourg, Portugal and Spain. The joint operation targeted communities and individuals who spread hate and propaganda through the Internet by posting, commenting, memes and other types of content, while confiscating their computer equipment and other evidentiary materials.

Officials say the action is not targeting a specific organization or group and is aimed at preventing the spread of hate crimes, racism and xenophobia online and offline.

Law enforcement also worked together to help individuals and groups realize that “the Internet is not a legal vacuum” and that anonymity will not prevent law enforcement from taking steps to combat illegal behavior, sending a clear signal to those who spread violent hatred on the Internet that Their actions will eventually be punished.