Overview

• Brandenburg’s Verfassungsschutz head Jörg Müller has formally proposed banning right-wing extremist chat groups operating on encrypted platforms like WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram.
• These decentralized groups, with names such as 'Jung & stark' and 'Deutsche Jugend Voran,' have been linked to rapid radicalization of minors, including children and teenagers.
• Members of these groups have reportedly engaged in violent acts, including vandalism, physical attacks on political opponents, and arson, posing significant public safety concerns.
• Müller argues that existing legal frameworks for banning extremist organizations are outdated, as they require formal structures like leadership roles and membership fees, which these digital groups lack.
• The proposal reflects a broader push to adapt Germany’s prohibition procedures to address the evolving nature of online extremism, pending judicial review.