(ETH) – Following the violence that occurred at the U.S. Capitol, European Union Commissioner Thierry Breton is warning that the incident has opened the door for an “era of tougher social media regulation”, comparing the violence with the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, that led to a global crackdown on terrorism.
He went further to say that “Just as 9/11 marked a paradigm shift for global security, 20 years later we are witnessing a before-and-after in the role of digital platforms in our democracy,” “If there was anyone out there who still doubted that online platforms have become systemic actors in our societies and democracies, last week’s events on Capitol Hill” were their answer, Breton wrote.
Breton went on to say that by Twitter and Facebook blocking Trump’s account, social media companies had finally recognized their responsibility, duty, and means to prevent the spread of illegal viral content. “They can no longer hide their responsibility toward society by arguing that they merely provide hosting services,” the member of the EU’s executive said.
