Overview
- Former Constitutional Court president Andreas Voßkuhle urged a legal real-name requirement to "detoxify" digital debate, calling it constitutionally permissible though difficult to implement.
- Bavarian Digital Minister Fabian Mehring endorsed the move for social networks, arguing free expression does not include a right to anonymity and that enforceability would improve.
- Berlin’s Justice Senator Felor Badenberg called for an open, goal-oriented discussion, citing growing online incitement, the need to protect children, and greater platform responsibility.
- Critics warn such a mandate could endanger vulnerable users, chill lawful speech, and face legal hurdles, with a WELT opinion arguing an anonymity ban would violate free-expression protections.
- Context includes official data showing more users encountering hostile content online (34% versus 28% in 2023) and calls to prioritize DSA enforcement, stronger moderation and media literacy, while t3n notes transatlantic frictions including reported U.S. sanctions on Hate Aid leaders.