Sanchez of Spain: Tech oligarchs won't be able to convince us to prohibit social media

Spain Pushes Social Media Ban for Under-16s, PM Sánchez Defies ‘Tech Oligarchs’

Spain will move ahead with plans to ban social media access for users under 16, despite strong pushback from major technology leaders, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on Thursday, accusing “tech oligarchs” of spreading misinformation and trying to influence government policy.

“Democracy will obviously not be swayed by the tech oligarchs of the algorithm,” Sánchez said at an event in Madrid. “Just yesterday they addressed millions of people via their platforms to spread lies.”

The remarks come amid a public clash with tech executives including Telegram founder Pavel Durov and Elon Musk, who have criticised Spain’s proposed regulations.

Tech leaders push back

Durov warned that the legislation could force platforms to collect more user data and give governments greater control over what people see online.

A day earlier, Musk wrote on X that Sánchez was “a tyrant and a traitor to the people of Spain.”

Spanish officials countered that Durov’s mass message to Telegram users highlighted the urgent need for stronger regulation to curb misleading information and protect citizens, especially minors.

Tougher rules on the table

Under the proposed measures, Spain would:

• Ban social media access for users under 16

• Hold platform executives accountable for hate speech

• Increase oversight of online content

The country joins Britain, Greece, and France in weighing stricter social media controls. Australia recently became the first nation to implement a full ban on social platforms for children under 16.

Broader regulatory push

Sánchez has stepped up criticism of big tech since early last year, previously proposing to end online anonymity and link social media accounts to a common EU digital identity wallet.

With Europe moving toward tighter digital safeguards, Spain’s stance signals a growing willingness among governments to directly challenge the power of global tech platforms — particularly when it comes to youth safety and misinformation.