Lorraine Williamson
Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has rejected criticism from messaging platform Telegram, insisting that the government will not abandon plans to restrict social media use by under-16s despite mounting pressure from tech companies and digital rights campaigners.
Speaking amid growing international attention, Sánchez said Spain’s proposals are about protecting minors, not censoring debate, and accused parts of the tech sector of attempting to frame regulation as an attack on free expression.
The comments come after Telegram’s founder publicly warned that Spain’s plans could be used to silence critics under the banner of online safety — remarks that have intensified the political row around the government’s digital agenda.
Musk attacks Sanchez
A firm line on regulation
Sánchez has made clear that his government sees tougher oversight of digital platforms as unavoidable, particularly where children and teenagers are concerned. Spain is pushing for stricter age controls, greater platform responsibility and clearer safeguards against harmful content.
The prime minister said Spain would not be “intimidated” by what he described as pressure from powerful technology interests, arguing that democratic governments must be able to set rules in the public interest.
While the government has yet to publish the full legal text, ministers have indicated the measures would align with wider EU efforts to rein in large platforms and strengthen protections for minors online.
Free speech concerns and political timing
Critics, including Telegram’s leadership, argue that vague definitions around harmful content risk giving governments excessive power to police online speech. Civil liberties groups have also warned that enforcement mechanisms must be tightly defined to avoid abuse.
The clash lands at a politically sensitive moment for Sánchez, whose minority government is already facing pressure on multiple fronts. Any suggestion that digital rules could be used to suppress dissent is likely to be seized on by opposition parties.
Still, public opinion in Spain has increasingly favoured tougher rules on children’s access to social media, particularly amid rising concern over mental health, cyberbullying and online addiction.
Part of a wider European shift
Spain is not acting in isolation. Several European countries are examining age limits, parental controls and stronger verification systems, while the EU’s Digital Services Act is already reshaping how platforms operate across the bloc.
For Sánchez, the confrontation with Telegram appears to be a calculated line in the sand — signalling that Spain intends to be among the countries pushing hardest for tighter digital governance.
Whether the final law eases free-speech fears without diluting protections for minors will determine how far the government can carry public support in the months ahead.