Europe Needs to Develop Its Own Tech and Regulate Big Tech Algorithms

Much of the social media infrastructure that shapes political discourse today is privately controlled, American-based, and built on an absolutist interpretation of free speech that the rest of the world – including the European Union – neither shares nor benefits from.

As revealed in reports like Semafor’s coverage of group chats that changed American politics, the consolidation of power in opaque, privately owned digital spaces has profound consequences not only within the U.S., but globally.

This problem is not new. But it has become more urgent, particularly for the European Union, which prides itself on democratic governance, social protections, and human rights standards that increasingly diverge from U.S. practices in digital spaces. If the EU wants to maintain sovereignty over its information ecosystem – and protect its citizens from the fallout of America’s libertarian internet policies – it must invest heavily in local tech, social media, and communications infrastructure.

At the same time, it must force Big Tech to submit to algorithmic governance and transparency as a precondition for access to the European market.

The stakes are clear. Platforms like Substack have openly chosen to monetize Nazi content under the guise of “free speech,” a reality confirmed by multiple investigations. When confronted, Substack’s leadership did not deny the issue; instead, they defended it, arguing that even white supremacist propaganda deserves commercial viability under their interpretation of free expression. This is the end result of America’s uniquely absolutist First Amendment culture – where even genocidal ideologies are seen as legitimate “opinions” in the marketplace of ideas.

The First Amendment is an American framework, not a universal one. In the EU, freedom of expression is a fundamental right – but it is not unlimited. The European Convention on Human Rights allows restrictions on speech that incites hatred, violence, or discrimination. EU law explicitly prohibits Holocaust denial, hate speech, and the glorification of Nazism. Yet because the digital architecture remains dominated by American companies with little incentive to comply with European standards, citizens across the continent are forced to endure streams of hateful, dangerous content that would be illegal if published in traditional media.

This is just one of many examples. Russian propaganda influencing elections all over Europe using US or even Chinese-based social platforms, far-right content and hate speech spreading unchecked on social media… The EU has little to no control over what its citizens consume online and with Trump as American president, U.S. Big Tech have even more room to do as they please without suffering any consequences.

The issue is not merely theoretical. It is about sovereignty. It is about safety. It is about the ability of democratic societies to set the rules under which public discourse happens – rather than being passive subjects to foreign corporate policies designed primarily to maximize profit.

The solution is twofold.

First, the EU must significantly invest in homegrown, locally accountable technology. It is unacceptable that Europe, with its 450 million people and substantial economic weight, remains dependent on American platforms for everything from social networking to payment processing. We need European alternatives that are subject to European laws, built by European companies, and accountable to European publics. The same ambition that powered the GDPR, the Green Deal, and the single market must now be directed toward the digital sphere.

Second, the EU must impose strict conditions on foreign tech companies operating within its borders. At minimum, companies like Meta, Google, X, and Substack (just to name a few) should be required to:


Comments

7 responses to “Europe Needs to Develop Its Own Tech and Regulate Big Tech Algorithms”

  1. Twisty Freesia Avatar
    Twisty Freesia

    Looks like Europe finally realized that letting Uncle Sam dictate our online lives is about as smart as serving sauerkraut at a French bistro. Time to build our own tech and show those big boys that we value a little something called “cultural identity,” not just clicks and cash. 😏💼

  2. mallow man Avatar
    mallow man

    Guess it’s time for Europe to roll up its sleeves and build its own tech empire, eh? 🍻 Because relying on Uncle Sam’s playground for our digital needs is just the ticket to sovereignty, innit?

  3. spider fuji Avatar
    spider fuji

    If the EU wants to keep its digital house in order, it might want to consider investing in some local tech instead of relying on the American circus. I mean, who needs a say in their own online democracy when we can just sit back and let Silicon Valley throw the rules out the window? 🤷‍♂️💼

  4. Emerald Goddess Avatar
    Emerald Goddess

    Honestly, if Europe doesn’t step up and build its own tech, we might as well just start sending our data to Mars—at least the Martians might have better manners than Big Tech! 🤷‍♂️💻

  5. Gr8 Flick Avatar
    Gr8 Flick

    Regulating Big Tech algorithms? Brilliant idea! I mean, who doesn’t love a good bureaucracy to spice up their digital life? 😂 Let’s build tech that’s as reliable as a Euro train – always late but somehow still in service!

  6. Crossing Guard Avatar
    Crossing Guard

    Seems like we’re finally waking up to the fact that relying on Uncle Sam’s tech playground might not be the best idea—who knew? 🤔 Let’s build our own digital block and keep the dodgy stuff out; after all, we can’t just serve up croissants with a side of extremist memes, can we? 🥐💻

  7. General Broomdog Avatar
    General Broomdog

    If we’re waiting for the EU to develop its own tech while still relying on foreign platforms, we might as well twiddle our thumbs and order another round of espresso – it’ll take less time! 🍷 Who knew sovereignty could be so… convenient? 😂

  8. butterquest Avatar
    butterquest

    Investing in local tech? Brilliant! Because nothing screams innovation like finally getting our own version of TikTok that’s just as addictive but at least has a regulation or two. 🙄🇪🇺

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Last News

EU allies express ‘concern’ over Israel’s plan to relocate displaced Palestinians to restricted area

EU allies express ‘concern’ over Israel’s plan to relocate displaced Palestinians to restricted area

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz briefed reporters about his plan to relocate around 600,000 displaced Palestinians in Gaza into a sealed-off zone, according to media reports. Katz stated that the entire population of over 2 million Palestinians would eventually be moved into this zone, which he reportedly described as a “humanitarian city.”
Although Germany and Austria are among Israel’s stro

Read More

Explosive Found in Antwerp, DOVO Responds, Confirms Bruyns

Explosive Found in Antwerp, DOVO Responds, Confirms Bruyns

Antwerp (Eurotoday) – An explosive device was found on Thursday, July 10, 2025, in Merksem, Antwerp, near Oostkaai. DOVO safely exploded it in Ekeren. Police suspect links to drug crime. Spokesperson: Wouter Bruyns.
As VRT News reported, on Thursday morning, July 10, 2025, there was a serious safety alert in Merksem, a northern part of Antwerp. A suspicious package was found on the street near t

Read More

EU and USA Could Finalize Tariff Framework Agreement in Days

EU and USA Could Finalize Tariff Framework Agreement in Days

The EU and the USA are actively negotiating a framework agreement on tariffs, which is expected to be completed “in the coming days.”
This announcement was made on Wednesday by EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, who leads the EU Commission’s negotiations.
“We have made significant progress toward a framework declaration. I am optimistic that we will finalize our work shortly,

Read More

Czech Intel Report Claims Russia Employs Migrants to Cause Chaos

Czech Intel Report Claims Russia Employs Migrants to Cause Chaos

The report indicated efforts to weaken Western societal cohesion, instill fear and uncertainty, reduce public confidence in the state’s protective abilities, and increase pressure to limit support for Ukraine against Russian aggression.
According to the Czech intelligence document, many agents unknowingly work for Russia through intermediaries.
Czechia has endured numerous attacks by Russian

Read More

Mickoski: Bulgaria hindered us today, but Macedonia stays proud; we will not tolerate another betrayal

Mickoski: Bulgaria hindered us today, but Macedonia stays proud; we will not tolerate another betrayal

Skopje – We stand proud, with our heads held high. Today, Bulgaria acted against us. The world has witnessed the challenges and injustices we encounter as a state and a nation in the 21st century. We can now openly tell Europe that the truth has emerged, stated Prime Minister Christian Mitskoski at an extraordinary press conference.
Mitskoski asserted from the party headquarters that we are on th

Read More

Europe Needs to Develop Its Own Tech and Regulate Big Tech Algorithms

Europe Needs to Develop Its Own Tech and Regulate Big Tech Algorithms

Much of the social media infrastructure that shapes political discourse today is privately controlled, American-based, and built on an absolutist interpretation of free speech that the rest of the world – including the European Union – neither shares nor benefits from.
As revealed in reports like Semafor’s coverage of group chats that changed American politics, the consolidation of power in opaq

Read More

Merz wollte in Rom für die Ukraine verhandeln

Merz wollte in Rom für die Ukraine verhandeln

Während der Bundeskanzler in Rom über den Wiederaufbau der Ukraine spricht, greift Russland die Ukraine so unerbittlich an wie nie zuvor seit Kriegsbeginn. Hans von der Burchard und Gordon Repinski analysieren, was das für den Gipfel mit Giorgia Meloni und Wolodymyr Selenskyj bedeutet – und warum die Taurus-Frage dabei ein weiter verdrängtes Kernproblem bleibt.
Im 200-Sekunden-Interview appellier

Read More

Albanian Authorities View EP Report as a Motivator for Ongoing Reforms

Albanian Authorities View EP Report as a Motivator for Ongoing Reforms

The European Parliament, during its plenary session in Strasbourg, has approved Albania’s progress report for 2023 and 2024 with 502 votes out of 686 present, as prepared by Austrian MEP Andreas Schieder.
Following the approval, Albanian authorities expressed their appreciation for the report, stating it serves as motivation for the continued reforms necessary for Albania’s European U

Read More

Tremelo’s Sonia Crabbé joins red line protest for Gaza peace

Tremelo’s Sonia Crabbé joins red line protest for Gaza peace

Tremelo (Eurotoday Newspaper) – In Tremelo, Sonia Crabbé and others drew red lines to protest Gaza violence. Inspired by nearby towns like Haacht, they urge peace, empathy, and action against global injustice.
As VRT News reported, in Tremelo, a municipality in the province of Flemish Brabant, Belgium, a group of residents is protesting the violence in Gaza by drawing a red line. They mentioned

Read More

Plastic Waste: A Solvable Problem

Plastic Waste: A Solvable Problem

Prioritizing collaboration over compulsion
To create lasting change, it’s essential to unlock financial support for waste management infrastructure and innovation. With an estimated $2.1 trillion required by 2040 to eliminate plastic leakage, innovative methods to mobilize capital from diverse sources are crucial. Each dollar committed to the right project can potentially attract ten times t

Read More