Germany: Announced legal challenge by Google (Youtube) against content moderation requirements in amended NetzDG

On 27 July 2021, Google (YouTube) announced a legal challenge againstthe amended NetzDG law, specifically the regulations applicable to video-sharing platform services, before the Cologne Administrative Court. According to the amended law, Youtube is obliged to automatically report users' data associated with posts presenting indications of criminal offences to the Federal Criminal Police Office. Because an examination of whether criminal behaviour is actually present is carried out only afterwards, Youtube challenges this obligation, declaring it a data protection violation and an interference with freedom of expression.