Oh Germany. The postindustrial wasteland. Home of the bratwurst. Also Mein Kampf. Aside from these, Deustchland has few achievements to boast: skyrocketing migrant rapes, blatant anti-semitism, and most recently an anti-hate speech law. Which is really an anti-free speech law. As of 2018, no internet hate thoughts will be permitted. YOU VIL OBEY! But at least they have fast cars?

Germany is set to start enforcing a law that demands social media sites move quickly to remove hate speech, fake news and illegal material.

Sites that do not remove "obviously illegal" posts could face fines of up to 50m euro (£44.3m).

Technically the law went into effect in October. It's news now because social networks were given until the end of 2017 to prep their anuses for thorough German cleansing.

As of 2018, every internet cavity will be under close scrutiny. Censorship pending.

The law gives the networks 24 hours to act after they have been told about law-breaking material.

Social networks and media sites with more than two million members will fall under the law's provisions.

Facebook, Twitter and YouTube will be the law's main focus but it is also likely to be applied to Reddit, Tumblr and Russian social network VK. Other sites such as Vimeo and Flickr could also be caught up in its provisions.

Notice how there's little explanation of what "hate speech" actually is. Methinks such things are left open-ended on purpose. So if General Poopen Von Poopendorf and his censorship team find anything they don't like, the offending websites must scrub said thing from the internet. Within 24 hours. Zee clock is ticking.

This doesn't just affect the Hans, Günter, and Klauses of the world. International content will also be subjected to the watchful eye of the German government. It shan't flow through the German web if Mein Fuhrer doesn't approve.

You'd think the "anti-fascists" of the world would have something to say about this blatant fascism. The internet certainly spared no drama over Net Neutrality. There were plenty of freakouts and bedwetting to be had (see Top Hilarious Reactions to Net Neutrality Vote). What with the unsubstantiated tales of impending doom and what possibly, maybe, eventually could happen. But when it comes to actual censorship taking place -- right before our very eyes -- internet warriors have made hardly a peep in comparison. Interesting.

This is what progress looks like. Heads up America, this could be your future.

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