Freedom of expression on the internet

The internet offers numerous opportunities, but also poses risks. Today it is easier than ever to exchange information and ideas globally. Online forums, blogs, guest books, etc. offer every internet user the opportunity to make his or her opinion known to an audience of millions with just one click. 

As in the real world, however, there are also limits on the internet when it comes to insults or incitement to hatred. Due to the automatic publicity on the internet, numerous infringements under criminal law occur immediately, which the individual internet user is, in most cases, not even aware of. 

Internet ‘surveillance’ is one of the buzzwords of recent months. In addition to numerous decisions of the Supreme Court, particular reference is made to a recent ruling of the European Court of Justice (ECJ), which is likely to call into question the entire Austrian supreme court jurisprudence with regard to the internet. 

(By Dr Dominik Schatzmann, Meinungsfreiheit im Internet, published by Verlag Österreich)