Spain's Sanchez Stands Firm on Social Media Ban for Minors, Defies Tech Titans' Criticism
MADRID, Feb 5 (Reuters) – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Thursday delivered a forceful rebuke to major technology executives, declaring their criticism would not derail his government's controversial plan to ban minors under 16 from accessing social media platforms. Sanchez framed the pushback from figures like Elon Musk and Telegram's Pavel Durov as an assault on democratic sovereignty by "tech oligarchs."
The proposed legislation, which would make Spain one of the strictest countries in Europe on youth social media access, has ignited a transatlantic war of words. It follows Australia's landmark move in December to enact a similar ban and places Spain alongside Britain, Greece, and France in considering tighter online controls for children.
"Our democracy will not be swayed by the oligarchs of the algorithm," Sanchez stated at a public event in Madrid. "Just yesterday, they used their vast platforms to address millions and spread deliberate falsehoods about our intentions."
The conflict escalated this week when Durov, in a message broadcast to Telegram's Spanish users, argued the law would force platforms into mass data collection and grant governments excessive control over content. Elon Musk preceded this with a post on X calling Sanchez "a tyrant and a traitor to the people of Spain."
Government officials swiftly countered, stating that Durov's direct messaging campaign underscored the urgent need for regulation to shield citizens from manipulation. Sanchez, a prominent leftist voice in a European political landscape shifting to the right, has made digital regulation a cornerstone of his agenda since early last year, previously advocating for an end to online anonymity and linking social media accounts to a verified EU digital identity.
Analysts suggest the clash highlights a growing global fault line between sovereign states seeking to assert control over digital spaces and tech giants championing a libertarian vision of the internet. The outcome in Spain could set a significant precedent for the European Union's broader approach to platform governance and youth protection online.
Voices from the Public
"As a mother of two teenagers, I'm relieved someone is finally taking the mental health risks seriously. These platforms are designed to be addictive, and the cyberbullying is out of control. Sanchez is showing courage." – Elena Torres, school psychologist, Barcelona.
"This is a classic overreach by an out-of-touch politician. It's parental responsibility, not state mandate. All this will do is drive kids to darker corners of the web and cripple digital literacy. It's security theater, not real protection." – David Chen, tech startup founder, Madrid.
"Musk and Durov crying about 'freedom' is rich coming from billionaires who run opaque platforms that amplify hate and misinformation for profit. Spain is right to prioritize its children over their stock prices. This isn't tyranny; it's basic duty of care." – Isabella Rossi, digital rights activist, Valencia. (More emotional/pointed)
"The data privacy concerns are valid, but the status quo is failing. We need a smart regulatory framework, not just a blanket ban. Perhaps this confrontation will force a more nuanced debate." – Professor Klaus Berger, European law scholar, via email.