At the World Economic Forum (WEF), Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez unveiled a proposal to eliminate anonymity on social media by linking user accounts to a European digital identity wallet. The announcement has sparked a fierce backlash from free speech advocates and critics of centralized digital regulation.
Sánchez’s Proposal: An End to Anonymity
In his speech, Sánchez argued that anonymous activity on social media enables the spread of “misinformation,” “hate speech,” and cyber harassment, as well as the proliferation of bots. Comparing anonymity to wearing masks on the streets or driving without license plates, Sánchez declared:
“Such an anomaly cannot continue in a democracy. Citizens have the right to privacy, not to anonymity or impunity.”
Sánchez outlined a plan where social media platforms would require every user to link their account to a real digital identity. While pseudonyms could still be used publicly, authorities would have access to the real identities behind online accounts. He also proposed increased transparency for social media algorithms, demanding what he called the “opening of the black box.”
Critics Sound the Alarm
The proposal has been met with sharp criticism from across Europe. Former MEP Rob Roos described the WEF as a meeting of “corrupt politicians, elites, and corporations” conspiring to strip citizens of their fundamental rights. […]
— Read More: rairfoundation.com
