Spain announces crackdown on social media abuses, targeting tech giants

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has declared a forceful crackdown on social media platforms, announcing a suite of regulatory measures aimed at curbing criminal activity, protecting minors, and holding tech companies accountable. In a video statement released late Friday, Sanchez framed the initiative as a necessary response to what he described as the "Wild West" environment of digital platforms, which he accused of facilitating serious societal harms.

Sanchez's condemnation of platform abuses

Prime Minister Sanchez delivered a stark indictment of social media's impact, stating that applications have "become a kind of Wild West in a failed state," providing refuge for channels dedicated to criminal pornography and violence. He cited an unprecedented event where a "tech oligarch has infiltrated the phones of millions of Spanish citizens to tell them what to think," labeling it a grave abuse of interference. Sanchez also highlighted the misuse of artificial intelligence to create fake explicit images, including of minors, and accused platforms of profiting by amplifying hate and disinformation.

The five key regulatory measures

The government's response consists of five specific actions. First, it will collaborate with the Public Prosecutor's Office to investigate crimes occurring on social networks. Second, it will prosecute the manipulation of algorithms that use personal data without user consent. Third, and most significantly, it will pursue criminal charges against companies that refuse to remove illegal content. The remaining measures include the creation of "the first database of hate and polarization" to track harmful trends and a move to limit access to platforms for users under the age of 16.

Political context and challenge to tech power

Sanchez's announcement reflects growing impatience among European governments with the perceived impunity of major technology firms. He directly challenged their economic and political influence, asserting, "We know that this tech elite has more money and even more power than many countries, but our determination is stronger than their pockets." He vowed to proceed "despite their threats," positioning Spain as part of a broader EU push for stricter digital governance under laws like the Digital Services Act (DSA), which mandates greater platform responsibility for content moderation.