Davos, Switzerland — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is spearheading an initiative aimed at addressing the challenges linked to social media. He is advocating for the European Union to implement stricter regulations on platforms such as Elon Musk’s X, the popular video application TikTok, and Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, arguing that these platforms jeopardize both participatory democracy and users’ mental well-being.
Sánchez considers social media to be a global resource that should be managed and protected in a manner akin to natural resources, stating, “I believe social media are now a common resource for humanity, like the oceans, and they should be protected and managed accordingly.” During his participation in the World Economic Forum, he presented a three-point strategy intended to enhance social media across the EU.
The first proposal is focused on eliminating user anonymity. Sánchez plans to introduce legislation to ensure that social media accounts are tied to real identities registered with European authorities, utilizing a “European digital identity wallet.” He argues that while users can maintain pseudonyms, this measure would allow authorities to hold individuals accountable in the event of illegal activities. “No one can send packages without showing an I.D. or purchase a hunting weapon without revealing their name, yet we permit users to operate anonymously on social networks,” Sánchez noted, emphasizing how this lack of accountability fosters misinformation, hate speech, and cyberbullying. However, this initiative faces opposition from digital rights advocates, who argue that anonymity is essential for free expression and can act as a safeguard against authority and censorship.
Sánchez’s second point involves increasing transparency surrounding social media algorithms. He will request that EU officials implement the Digital Services Act, designed to enhance online safety, to scrutinize social media algorithms. Additionally, he aims to strengthen the European Centre for Algorithm Transparency, allowing for unrestricted oversight of social media operations. While tech companies may resist such transparency initiatives to protect their intellectual property, there is a growing trend among authorities on both sides of the Atlantic to investigate algorithmic processes. Recently, EU officials mandated X to provide further information as part of an investigation into the platform’s practices.
The third component of Sánchez’s proposal involves holding tech CEOs directly accountable for any negative impacts their platforms may cause. He suggests that social media executives should face personal liability for failing to comply with regulations, similar to the responsibilities of business owners regarding their products. This approach aligns with recent moves in the UK, where online safety regulations hold senior tech managers criminally liable under specific conditions.
Sánchez’s intensified focus on social media regulation is rooted in broader concerns regarding its effects on young people. The Spanish government has taken steps to limit mobile phone usage in schools and has voiced concerns over the increasing exposure of children to online pornography. At the Davos summit, he highlighted the troubling political involvement of social media moguls, referencing Elon Musk’s financial backing of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign efforts and raising alarms about the potential political influence of tech billionaires like Mark Zuckerberg of Meta, who has been accused of enabling the spread of misinformation through the rollback of content moderation practices.
Sánchez expressed concern that a small cadre of wealthy tech leaders now seeks not only economic power but also political influence that threatens democratic institutions. “(The) owners of the big social media consoles, a small group of techno billionaires … are no longer satisfied with holding nearly total economic power,” he remarked, underscoring the intertwined nature of economic and political authority.
Although Sánchez’s proposals have significant support, they are not without criticism. Argentinian President Javier Milei, also attending the Davos meeting, challenged Sánchez, accusing him of seeking to silence dissenting voices. “I am not surprised that a Socialist like Sánchez wants to silence those who think differently,” Milei stated, reflecting on the contentious nature of the debate surrounding social media regulations.
Sánchez’s office has stated that it will provide additional information in due course, but for now, the focus remains on his ambitious plan to reshape the digital landscape in Europe.
