Germany tried earlier to fine American companies for online posts using a law called "NetzDG".

Gab refused to pay the fine, and it was over.

> The enforcement notice itself highlights the structural tension. Despite acknowledging Gab’s US address, the German government asserts authority to pursue collection, including formal enforcement proceedings, without identifying any German subsidiary or office.

> The payment instructions route funds directly to the German federal treasury, showing that the action is punitive rather than remedial.

> Germany’s approach also reveals the paper trail behind modern censorship enforcement. The fine stems not from a specific post or statement, but from alleged failure to comply with aspects of NetzDG. That procedural hook enables broader regulatory reach, transforming administrative requirements into a mechanism for speech governance.

https://reclaimthenet.org/gab-refuses-to-pay-germanys-fine-c...