DUBAI – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced a package of legislative measures to tighten regulations on digital platforms, describing it as a response to the “abuses of Big Tech” and the lack of control over content. The announcement came during the World Governments Summit, an international forum that brings together political leaders and experts to discuss innovation and global governance.
Among the most significant initiatives is the intention to prohibit access to social media for those under 16, requiring platforms to implement effective age verification systems. This measure follows the lead of countries like France and Australia, which are already moving forward with similar restrictions, and reinforces the government's focus on strengthening digital protection for children and adolescents.
The plan also includes introducing criminal liability for platform executives if they fail to remove illegal or hateful content, as well as criminalizing the manipulation of algorithms that amplify this type of material. With this, the government seeks to overcome the notion that technology is neutral and establish clear obligations for those who operate these automated systems.
Additionally, a tracking and tracing mechanism—called the “Hate and Polarization Footprint”—will be created to measure the spread of extremist rhetoric and demonstrate the permissiveness of the platforms. The government also plans to work with the Attorney General's Office to analyze potential legal violations on social media and strengthen oversight of the digital ecosystem.
The regulatory offensive aligns with a stance Sánchez has maintained in various international forums, where he has warned that social media can erode democracies by polarizing public debate and facilitating disinformation. The announced package anticipates increased pressure on technology companies and confirms that digital governance is becoming one of the major regulatory debates on a global scale.
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