Madrid, February 7, 2026 – The Europe Today: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has unveiled a new set of measures aimed at regulating social media platforms and enhancing protections for minors, warning that digital spaces have increasingly enabled criminal activity, disinformation, and the spread of harmful content.
In a video message shared late Friday on the US-based social media platform X, Sánchez said Spain is facing an unprecedented challenge to its democratic and media environment. He alleged that a powerful technology figure had “infiltrated the phones of millions of Spanish citizens to tell them what to think,” calling it a serious example of digital interference that authorities are determined to counter.
Describing social media platforms as having “become a kind of Wild West in a failed state,” the prime minister said such applications often provide refuge for channels linked to criminal activities, including pornography and violence. He also raised concerns over the misuse of artificial intelligence, citing cases where AI tools have been used to create fake nude images, even involving minors, as well as to spy on users, steal personal data, and amplify hate and disinformation for profit.
According to Sánchez, the government has launched five key measures “to protect minors and end impunity in digital environments.” These include closer coordination with the Public Prosecutor’s Office to investigate crimes committed on social media, prosecuting the manipulation of algorithms that exploit personal data without consent, and pursuing criminal charges against companies that fail to remove illegal content.
Additional steps involve the creation of what Sánchez described as Spain’s first national database on hate and polarization, as well as plans to limit access to social media platforms for users under the age of 16.
Acknowledging the influence of major technology firms, the prime minister said the government remains resolute. “We know that this tech elite has more money and even more power than many countries, but our determination is stronger than their pockets,” he said, adding that Spain would continue to move forward with the reforms despite external pressure or threats.
