Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, warned that tech billionaires are using social media to undermine democracy. He urged European leaders to implement stricter regulations to combat disinformation and hold platform owners accountable.
Sánchez Criticizes Tech Billionaires at Davos
In a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Swiss Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez accused tech billionaires of manipulating social media to erode democratic values. He emphasized that platforms initially meant to unite people now contribute to division and manipulation, advancing the personal agendas of their wealthy owners.
Disinformation and Lack of Regulation
Sánchez pointed out that social media fosters disinformation due to limited text lengths, lack of fact-checking measures, and the prevalence of bots and fake accounts. He criticized the algorithms that prioritize sensational content, replacing meaningful democratic participation with a race for “likes.”
Call for Accountability and Regulation
The Spanish PM proposed stronger regulations, including the enforcement of digital identification for social media users and the use of the EU’s Digital Services Act to address harmful practices. He drew parallels between social media owners and small business accountability, stating, “If restaurant owners are accountable for poisoning customers, tech tycoons should be accountable for poisoning society.”
Warnings About Tech Influence
Sánchez warned that a small group of elites, empowered by their wealth, threatens to override democratic systems. Referring to venture capitalist Peter Thiel’s controversial statement from 2009, Sánchez highlighted the dangers of undermining democratic values in favor of profit and control.
Europe’s Role in Combating Disinformation
The Spanish leader called on the European Union to unite against what he described as the “tech caste.” He proposed measures to reduce the influence of tech billionaires and ensure that social media contributes to democracy rather than undermining it.
Recent Criticism of Elon Musk
Sánchez also criticized Elon Musk, accusing him of supporting far-right movements and spreading hatred. He urged European leaders to take collective action against social media tycoons who abuse their platforms for political manipulation.
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