Discrimination

Discrimination occurs when people are disadvantaged or degraded based on specific characteristics such as their origin, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. On the internet, discrimination often manifests in the form of derogatory comments, targeted exclusion, or the spread of stereotypes. It violates the dignity of those affected and can cause significant harm.

What is discrimination?

Discrimination happens when an individual or group is treated unfairly or deliberately excluded due to personal characteristics. Such actions can appear in comments, images, videos, or other online content.

Examples:

Racist comments: Derogatory remarks about a person’s origin or skin color.
Sexist content: Degrading memes or statements about gender.
Homophobia or transphobia: Derogatory remarks about sexual orientation or gender identity.
Religious discrimination: Insults targeting individuals based on their faith.

What can you do about discrimination?

Discriminatory content should not be tolerated. Here are the steps you can take:

Secure evidence: Save screenshots or other documentation of the discriminatory content.
Report: Use the platform’s reporting function to submit the content for review.
Protect your privacy: Block the responsible individual if necessary to prevent further harassment.
Contact User Rights: If the platform fails to take appropriate action, you can submit your case to us.

Is discrimination punishable by law?

Discrimination is prohibited in Germany and can be prosecuted depending on the case. Violations of the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) or other laws, such as insult or incitement of hatred, can have legal consequences. Particularly severe cases that incite public hatred are also punishable under § 130 of the German Criminal Code (StGB) (Incitement of the People).

How does User Rights help?

We review your case when platforms fail to adequately address discriminatory content. We assess whether the platform violated its moderation obligations and provide a legal evaluation of the next steps. Our work helps hold platforms accountable and contributes to making the digital space safer.

SUBMIT A CASE