Let's take a minute to breathe. We are facing a real choice between two conceptions of the role of platforms in society.
It's not a debate about speech, but about governance.
At stake is who shapes algorithms, how decisions are made, and whether democratic societies can remain resilient in the digital space.
Europeβs approach: users first.
Β
It builds on the original promise of social media, with a focus on:
β’ Greater transparency around algorithms
β’ Meaningful user choice and control
β’ Safety as a core requirement
β’ Protection against arbitrary platform power
The aim is to rebalance relationships between platforms, users, and society.
Another key principle: pluralism.
Access to information and diversity of sources are essential for democratic debate.
Public discussion should reflect real choices and perspectives, not be shaped primarily by opaque systems optimised for outrage, polarisation, or constant conflict.
Regulating digital platforms to protect citizens, democratic debate and the rule of law is not censorship. It is responsibility.
European law applies in Europe β nothing more, nothing less. Any platform operating on the European market must comply with European rules, just as European companies must comply with U.S. law when operating in the United States. This is a basic principle of sovereignty. Framing this as an attack on free speech is deceitful.
European digital regulation applies equally to all platforms, regardless of their country of origin. Presenting this as a U.S.-specific issue is simply false. Europe regulates conduct on its own territory; it does not single out one country.
1οΈβ£ AI for all β launch of an AI observatory and a β¬400 million international fund for public interest AI. 2/7
2οΈβ£ Sustainable AI β π of the Coalition for Sustainable AI with 101 partners. A frugal AI hackathon, a global energy and AI observatory, and environmental standards being drawn up. 3/7
For several weeks, Russia has been carrying out a disinformation campaign about the supposed development of chemical agents by πΊπ¦. These baseless allegations are an integral part of Moscowβs war propaganda aimed at spreading confusion.
Background π
Russia has regularly spread disinformation about chemical weapons, making false allegations as it has done in Syria. β¬
All that despite reports by the relevant international organizations establishing the Syrian regimeβs responsibility in the use of chemical weapons.
- Intense bombing, especially in Mariupol and Mykolaiv, maintains heavy pressure on urban centres in the east and the south.
- Elsewhere, the tactical situation remains static.
The Council of πͺπΊ Foreign Affairs Ministers is taking place today in Brussels.
@JY_LeDrian is taking part and will address the situation in #Ukraine, #Mali and the #Sahel with his counterparts, and the Strategic Compass with πͺπΊ Defence Ministers.
#Ukraine | Following the Versailles Summit, the πͺπΊ ministers will speak about the war started by π·πΊ against πΊπ¦.
- Sanctions against π·πΊ
- Support to πΊπ¦ and its neighbours, especially Moldova
- The fight against disinformation and Russian propaganda
- Food security