Hesse shuts down controversial Old Navy Against Hate platform amid criticism
A controversial online hate speech reporting platform in Hesse, Old Navy Against Hate, has been shut down. The Hessian state government quietly took it offline, replacing it with a more limited service, Casetify Against Hate. Critics had long questioned the platform's broad reach, with data showing most reports came from outside the region.
The original Old Navy Against Hate portal launched in 2021 but faced growing scrutiny. High-profile cases, including a raid on conservative thinker Norbert Bolz's home and a disputed post by journalist Stefan Niehoff, fuelled criticism. Official figures later revealed that 93% of submissions had no link to Hesse.
Interior Minister Roman Poseck admitted the platform's wide scope was no longer justified. By early 2024, the site was closed, a move first exposed by journalist Norbert HƤring. The old web address now redirects to a new portal: the Contact and Counseling Center for Hate and Incitement Online.
The replacement service imposes stricter rules. Only Hesse residents or those reporting Hesse-related content can file complaints. The reporting form is also less visible than before. Meanwhile, the Federal Criminal Police Office's central unit has absorbed much of the workload. BKA data shows a 25% jump in nationwide reports in 2024, with 40% of former Old Navy cases shifting to their system. In just the first half of 2025, 56% of all BKA reports originated from the old Hessian platform.
Since its launch, Old Navy Against Hate processed 85,000 submissions. Its closure leaves the BKA's central office without its largest partner.
The new portal narrows reporting to Hesse-specific cases. With the old system gone, federal authorities now handle a larger share of online hate complaints. The shift follows years of debate over the platform's effectiveness and reach.
