Spain’s PM Unveils Tough Social Media Reforms, Sparks Clash With Elon Musk
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced sweeping plans to tighten regulation of social media platforms, including proposals to criminally hold technology executives liable, restrict platform algorithms and ban social media access for children under 16.
Speaking at the World Government Summit in Dubai, Sánchez said Spain would begin implementing the measures next week, arguing that social media platforms have become a “lawless” digital space where disinformation, hate speech and criminal activity spread without accountability.
His remarks quickly triggered a sharp response from X owner Elon Musk, who criticised Sánchez in a post on the platform, using inflammatory language to describe the Spanish leader.
Sánchez outlined five key measures aimed at curbing what he described as the unchecked power of major technology companies. Central to the plan is a proposal to amend Spanish law to hold social media executives criminally responsible if their platforms fail to remove illegal or hateful content, potentially exposing senior figures to prosecution.
The prime minister also proposed making the algorithmic amplification of illegal content a criminal offence, targeting both those who create disinformation and the platforms whose systems promote it for profit.
“Disinformation does not appear by itself,” Sánchez said. “It is created, promoted and spread by certain actors.”
In another move, Sánchez announced plans to establish a so-called “hate and polarization footprint,” a system designed to measure and track how platforms contribute to division and hostility online. The data would be used to inform future legal and financial penalties.
The proposed reforms also include a ban on social media use for children under 16, backed by mandatory age-verification systems. Sánchez said such safeguards must be effective, not symbolic, citing concerns about addiction, abuse and exposure to harmful content.
Finally, he said Spanish prosecutors would investigate potential violations by platforms including X’s Grok, TikTok and Instagram, stressing that Spain would not tolerate foreign interference or breaches of its digital laws.
Sánchez also appeared to single out Musk during his speech, accusing the X owner of amplifying what he described as false claims about Spain’s immigration policy.
The proposals are expected to fuel debate across Europe, where governments are increasingly pushing for stricter oversight of technology companies amid growing concerns about online harm, free speech and digital sovereignty.
