The Guardian view on social media harms: the tech giants must be more open | Editorial
GuardianMAY 2024
House Judiciary Committee Probes Spotify Over Foreign Censorship Claims
Above: Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) speaks to the media on June 4, 2025. Image copyright: Allison Robbert/Bloomberg/Getty Images
The Spin
Left narrative
Platform regulation protects vulnerable users from algorithmic harm that tech giants have repeatedly ignored. The public demands accountability from companies that prioritize profits over safety. Laws like the DSA and OSA force transparency in content moderation and require platforms to assess risks to democracy and child welfare. If American tech wants to profit from global consumers, it must make sure they adhere to local laws.
Right narrative
Foreign governments continue to censor American platforms. When Australia dictates what Canadians post on X, or Europe criminalizes legitimate criticism, free speech erodes globally. Bureaucrats with vague "hate speech" laws become thought arbiters, turning disagreement into crime as citizens self-censor from fear. As prosecutions skyrocket and polls show people afraid to speak, these laws undermine democracy rather than protect it.