Sweden to fine social media platforms for gang 'murder adverts'

Sweden's government announced plans to introduce legislation requiring social media platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and others to remove criminal gangs' 'murder adverts' within one hour or face fines of up to five million kronor (US$537,000). Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer stated Sweden would be the first in the EU with such legislation targeting organized crime's recruitment of children and youths. Criminal gangs increasingly use social media to recruit individuals, often under 15 (Sweden's age of criminal responsibility), to commit murders and other violent acts in a surge of 'crime as a service'. The minority right-wing government, supported by the far-right Sweden Democrats, has been pushing crime and immigration crackdowns ahead of the September 13 general election. If parliament adopts the proposal, the rules would take effect July 15.