Question about Internet Laws in Germany: Social Media Likes and Legal Boundaries

Hi everyone,

I’ve recently arrived, and I’m trying to understand the legal landscape regarding internet usage and "forbidden symbols."

I know that German law (StGB § 86a) is very strict about Nazi imagery and symbols of unconstitutional organizations. However, I have a specific question about social media interactions:

If someone is scrolling through Instagram Reels or TikTok and accidentally (or out of curiosity) likes a video that contains historical footage of Hitler or Nazi symbols, how is that viewed by the law?

• Is there active monitoring? Does the government track "likes" on global platforms?

• Legal consequences: Is simply liking a post considered "disseminating" (spreading) propaganda, or does the law only target those who post, share, or create the content?

• Social Reality: Is this something people actually get in trouble for, or is the focus mainly on those who publicly support or promote these ideologies?

I want to respect the laws and the culture, so I’d appreciate any insights on where the line is drawn between "consuming content" and "breaking the law."

Thanks in advance!