Twitter must also delete core-like violations

The Frankfurt am Main Regional Court has ruled: Affected persons can demand that Twitter delete false or defamatory tweets about them. Twitter must also remove analogous comments with an identical core of the statement as soon as it becomes aware of the specific violation of personality rights.

In September 2022, various comments appeared on Twitter in which it was claimed, contrary to the truth, that the anti-Semitism commissioner of the state of Baden-Württemberg had “a closeness to pedophilia” and that he had “had a fling.” It was also spread about him that he was involved in “anti-Semitic scandals” and that he was “part of an anti-Semitic pack.”

The competent press chamber of the Frankfurt am Main Regional Court determined in summary proceedings that these defamatory allegations were untrue. The designation as an anti-Semite is initially an expression of opinion. However, it was unlawful, at least in the chosen context, because it did not contribute to the formation of public opinion and was recognizably aimed at creating a mood against the anti-Semitism commissioner in an emotionalizing form.

After the anti-Semitism commissioner demanded the removal of these comments, Twitter should have immediately ceased and desisted their dissemination. In addition, the Board ruled:

“The cease-and-desist order applies not only if a statement is repeated word for word, but also if the messages contained therein are republished in the same sense.

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And further:

“The comments are not prohibited in any context. Only those comments are affected that are to be regarded as equivalent and that have an identical core of expression despite certain deviations.

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Twitter is therefore not subject to a general monitoring obligation with regard to its approximately 237 million users. A duty to examine exists only with regard to the specific infringement of the right of personality complained of.

“German law requires every obligated party to a cease-and-desist order to determine for itself whether the characteristic of the specific form of infringement is expressed in a modification and is therefore similar in essence. Twitter is therefore in no different situation than if a specific infringement is reported. In this case, too, Twitter must examine whether or not this infringement requires deletion.

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However, the chamber considered a user’s statement that the anti-Semitism commissioner of the state of Baden-Württemberg had been included in the list of the world’s biggest anti-Semites published annually by the Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles to be admissible. Regardless of whether inclusion on this list is justified, information about it should be provided. The anti-Semitism officer would have to defend himself against this in the public battle of opinion.

The judgment (Case No. 2-03 O 325/22) is not final. It can be appealed to the Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt am Main. However, the operative part corresponds to the usual decisions in the field of statements and competition law, which is why a divergent decision by the Frankfurt Higher Regional Court cannot be assumed.