Spain Regulates Social Media Companies Over Data Protection Concerns

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has announced plans to ban social media platforms for minors under the age of 16, citing concerns over the spread of harmful and criminal content. The proposed measure would require social media companies to be held responsible for the content on their platforms.

In response, executives from X, a social media platform owned by tech billionaire Elon Musk, and Telegram, a messaging app founded by Pavel Durov, have criticized Sanchez’s plan. Musk described Sanchez as a “true fascist totalitarian” over the proposed measures, while Durov accused Sanchez’s government of pushing “dangerous new regulations that threaten your internet freedoms”.

Sanchez has stated that the ban is aimed at protecting minors from the digital Wild West and holding social media company executives accountable for harmful content on their platforms. He also announced that Spain will join a group of five European countries to discuss cross-border regulation of social media.

Government sources have responded to Durov’s criticism, stating that he used his platform to spread misinformation and make illegitimate attacks against the government. They claim that this is the first time such an incident has occurred in Spanish history.

The proposed ban would be introduced as an amendment to an existing bill on digital protection for minors currently being debated in parliament. The exact details of the collaborative effort between Spain and other European countries are not yet known.

Musk’s response to Sanchez’s speech was met with criticism, with some accusing him of platforming far-right groups. Durov also criticized Sanchez’s government, stating that the proposed measures would lead to “total control” over the internet.

Source: Al Jazeera