German law can fine you for a rude internet review

In Germany, an online vent about a rude waiter or a dishonest contractor can quickly escalate into a criminal matter. Under a nineteenth-century legal tradition designed to protect reputations, the government can issue fines of up to 50,000 euros for insults or defamatory reviews. This has created a digital environment where platforms like Google and Yelp are legally required to act within twenty-four hours, leading to a system where automated software now handles the vast majority of complaints.