What is NetzDG?
On June 30, 2017, the German parliament adopted the Network Enforcement Law (NetzDG). NetzDG sets requirements for how some social media networks process legal complaints against content that may violate specific German criminal codes concerning the following issues:
- Sexual content
- Violence
- Hate speech or political extremism
- Harmful or dangerous acts
- Terrorist or unconstitutional content
- Defamation or insult
- Privacy
The specific criminal codes covered under NetzDG are listed in §1(3).
Report illegal content for review in Germany
If you're flagging a video for a YouTube Community Guidelines violation and also want to report it as illegal under NetzDG, check the box stating “I believe this content should be restricted under the Network Enforcement Law” that is displayed besides the flagging flow on youtube.com.
When you're asked to, give us detailed information to help us evaluate your request. We may contact you to request further information to help us process your complaint before making a final assessment. We may reverse our decision in the future (for example, if we get more information in a future complaint or appeal).
If you don't check the box requesting NetzDG review when submitting a report, it will still be reviewed for possible violations of our Community Guidelines. The YouTube staff review reported videos as soon as possible.
Report a video
A video can be reported at any time. If our review team finds no violations, the video will remain unrestricted.
- Sign in to YouTube.
- Go to the video you want to report.
- Below the video, click More
.
- Click Report
.
- Select the reason for flagging that best fits the violation in the video. Choose I believe this content should be restricted under the Network Enforcement Law.
- Fill out the required form.
- Submit the report.
Report a comment
- Sign in to YouTube.
- Go to the comment you want to report.
- Next to the comment, click More
Report
- Select the reason for reporting. Choose I believe this content should be restricted under the Network Enforcement Law.
- Fill out the required form.
- Submit the report.
Report illegal content through the webform
To report a video using the features outlined above, you must be signed into a Google Account. If you don't have one, you can follow the steps to create a Google Account. You can also submit a legal request here to report a video.
Biannual report
YouTube will publish a biannual report, which will also be published in the Federal Gazette. By submitting a legal complaint to YouTube, you agree that YouTube may publish information about your notice. We will not publish your personal contact information. Note that data will be stored in accordance with the Google Privacy Policy.