Supposing that the mod is using the “german definition”, there is still the issue of hosting an incredibly popular instance. In online places where a huge influx of non-german users live, I’d argue that it should be treated like a public place where free speech is granted. How am i supposed to understand the cultural realities of Germany if I live thousands of miles away from it? Am I supposed to tone down my right to free speech just because they’ve treated their subjective experience as a universal law?
But I like that on Lemmy, I’m seeing diverse discussion on German/Austrian law. I don’t get to see that on other prominent platforms, which tend to favor wikipedia-type discourse that often ends with american pop history/culture inferences.
Moderation rulings are subjective. There are legitimate interests in free speech, even if the idea itself has no distinct and clear impressions. At best, he’s only applying an inference. At worst, he’s suppressing free speech that he doesn’t like hearing.