Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced five major measures at the World Government Summit in Dubai to hold social media platforms and executives criminally accountable, curb algorithmic amplification, and protect children — with implementation set to begin next week. The plan includes criminal penalties for executives who fail to remove illegal content, a new offense for algorithmic promotion of illegal material, a "hate and polarization footprint" to guide penalties, and a ban on under-16s using social media with robust age checks. Sánchez directly criticized Elon Musk for amplifying what he called disinformation about the regularization of 500,000 migrants; Musk responded on X with a profane post calling Sánchez a "tyrant."
Spain Unveils Wide-Ranging Social Media Crackdown — Elon Musk Labels PM a 'Tyrant'
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced sweeping plans to hold social media executives criminally liable and restrict platform algorithms.(AP Images)
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez used a speech at the World Government Summit in Dubai to unveil five sweeping measures aimed at holding social media platforms and their executives criminally accountable, curbing algorithmic amplification, and strengthening protections for children. The announcement prompted an immediate and profane response from X owner Elon Musk, escalating tensions between Spain and major tech platforms.
The Five Measures Announced
Sánchez said the package — which he said will begin to be implemented next week — is a response to what he described as a "failed state" of online platforms where disinformation, hate speech and criminal activity spread without sufficient accountability. His proposals include:
- Criminal Liability for Executives: Amendments to Spanish law to expose platform executives to potential criminal prosecution if they fail to remove illegal or hateful content.
- New Offense for Algorithmic Manipulation: Making the algorithmic amplification of illegal content a criminal offense, targeting both disinformation actors and the platforms whose recommendation systems promote harmful material for profit.
- Hate And Polarization Footprint: Creation of a system to monitor and quantify how platforms contribute to division and hate, which would inform future legal and financial penalties.
- Minimum Age And Robust Verification: A ban on access to social media for children under 16, requiring mandatory age-verification systems that function as effective barriers rather than checkbox solutions.
- Probes And Digital Sovereignty: Coordination with public prosecutors to investigate alleged violations by services including Grok, TikTok and Instagram, with a stated commitment to defend Spain's digital sovereignty.
Reaction And Context
On X, Elon Musk wrote: "Dirty Sánchez is a tyrant and traitor to the people of Spain" followed by an explicit insult and a poop emoji.
Sánchez singled out Musk by name during his speech, accusing the owner of X of amplifying false claims about Spain’s immigration policy. He referenced the government's decision to regularize 500,000 migrants who live and work in Spain and said that social platforms have been used to spread disinformation about that sovereign policy.
Supporters of Sánchez's plan say it addresses real harms created and amplified by online platforms. Critics warn the measures could raise complex legal and free-speech questions — particularly around criminal liability for platform staff and the technical policing of algorithms. The coming weeks are likely to bring legal scrutiny and public debate as implementation begins.
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