The Spanish government has called for social media platforms to remain neutral and avoid interfering in political matters, following a controversial comment by Elon Musk, the CEO of X (formerly Twitter). Musk’s remarks, tied to statistics on foreign nationals convicted of rape in Spain, have sparked a political debate and criticism from Spanish officials.
The controversy began when Musk reposted a message from Visegrad24 on X, featuring an article about convictions for rape in Catalonia. The article, originally published by La Razón in September 2024, highlighted that 91% of those convicted for rape in the region were foreign nationals, despite immigrants making up only 17% of Catalonia’s population. Musk’s single-word comment, “Wow,” drew widespread attention and criticism.
Catalan authorities confirmed the data’s accuracy, noting that 22 of the 24 individuals convicted or detained for rape in the region were non-Spanish citizens. However, Spanish leaders, including Socialist regional leader Salvador Illa, condemned the comment for fueling divisive narratives.
Government response
In a press conference on Tuesday, Spanish government spokesperson Pilar Alegría reiterated the need for social media platforms to act with neutrality and refrain from political interference. “We support the European Commission’s stance and advocate for these platforms to operate with absolute neutrality and without any interference,” Alegría stated.
The incident has reignited debates over the role of social media in shaping public discourse and influencing political narratives. Critics argue that Musk’s comment, amplified by his vast online following, risks perpetuating stereotypes and hate speech.
A broader political context
Spain’s political climate has seen ongoing tensions regarding immigration and crime. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whose liberal policies on immigration have faced criticism from the far-right party Vox, dismissed any direct link between immigration and crime rates. Sánchez has emphasised that “foreign nationals are neither better nor worse than Spanish citizens in terms of criminality.”
Data from Spain’s Ministry of the Interior supports this view, indicating that crime rates have remained stable or declined since 2011. A September report from the ministry concluded that immigration has not significantly impacted criminal activity in Spain.
The role of social media giants
This controversy also raises questions about the accountability of tech magnates like Musk, who wield significant influence over public opinion through social media. Salvador Illa stressed the need to protect democratic values from being undermined by “technology billionaires aligned with far-right ideologies.”
While Illa did not mention Musk directly, his remarks underline broader concerns about the growing intersection of technology, politics, and extremism. “We will not allow anyone to use the name of Catalonia to spread hate speech,” he affirmed.