The Federal Office of Justice (BfJ) has imposed high fines on the messenger service Telegram for violations of the Network Enforcement Act (NetzDG).
The two decisions against the company Telegram FZ-LLC add up to 5.125 million euros, the Federal Office announced on Monday.
The law regulates the handling of user complaints about hate crime and other criminal content on the Internet.
It stipulates the establishment of a complaints management system in which users can report content.
In addition, operators must appoint an authorized recipient.
The Federal Office accuses Telegram of violating the obligation to provide legally compliant reporting channels in 2020 and 2021.
In addition, Telegram has not named an authorized recipient with a serviceable address in Germany.
The authority punished the violation of the obligation to keep the reporting channels available with a fine of 4.25 million euros.
A fine of 875,000 euros was due for not naming the person authorized to accept service.
Hearing letter undeliverable
Since April 2021, attempts have been made several times to deliver hearing letters to Telegram's headquarters in Dubai, the Federal Office said.
"Despite support from the responsible authorities in the United Arab Emirates in the form of international legal assistance, this did not succeed." In March 2022, the hearing letters were then publicly served in the Federal Gazette.
A German law firm then got in touch on behalf of Telegram and took a position.
However, the allegations have not been refuted.
That is why the fine notices were issued and Telegram was delivered on October 10th.
The fine notices are not yet final, Telegram can appeal.