Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez proposed a series of measures at the World Economic Forum in Davos to address what he sees as a threat posed by social media to democracy. These initiatives include eliminating online anonymity and holding platform owners accountable for violations.

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Key Proposals

Sánchez urged European Union leaders to take bold action against the negative effects of social media. The proposed measures include:

• Ending anonymity: Requiring platforms to link user accounts to a European digital identity. While pseudonyms could still be used, authorities would be able to identify individuals responsible for illegal activities.
• Holding platform owners accountable: Ensuring that companies operating social media platforms are held liable for failing to comply with regulations. Sánchez compared this to a restaurant owner being responsible for food poisoning incidents.
• Algorithmic transparency: Demanding that platforms disclose the algorithms used to determine content distribution.
• Strengthening EU regulations: Expanding the capacity of the European Centre for Algorithmic Transparency with dedicated funding and reinforcing the enforcement of the EU Digital Services Act.

The Negative Impact of Social Media

Sánchez highlighted that while social media was initially presented as a tool to unite societies and strengthen democracies, it has also caused significant harm. Key concerns include:

• Cyberbullying and hate speech.
• Privacy violations.
• Polarization and disinformation: Social media has replaced rigorous public debate with immediacy, creating fertile ground for manipulation.
• Foreign interference: Sánchez claimed that powers like Russia use social media to weaken democratic institutions and disrupt electoral processes.
• Antisystem influences and elitism: He criticized extremist forces and billionaire tech owners for undermining democracy in pursuit of political power.

The Spanish leader stressed the need for a united front to protect social media as a “common resource for humanity.” He argued that these measures are not aimed at restricting freedom of expression but rather complementing it and ensuring responsible use of digital platforms.

Sánchez also took the opportunity to highlight Spain’s economic performance, asserting that the country’s current stability proves the effectiveness of social democracy.

He admitted that he had considered leaving social media, as some public figures and companies have done, but acknowledged its importance for young people and its positive potential if properly regulated.

The speech concluded with a call for European leaders to adopt courageous measures to combat the harmful effects of social media and safeguard the foundations of democracy.

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