tech
February 19, 2026
Macron calls free speech ‘pure bulls***’ while blasting tech company executives
French President Emmanuel Macron blasted tech company executives of social media platforms over refusals to limit or restrict speech. While speaking before a crowd in New Delhi, India, on Wednesday, Macron said the excuse used by tech executives citing free speech as the basis for the refusal to limit speech was “pure bulls***.”
TL;DR
- Macron denounced tech executives' claims of supporting free speech as a cover for their refusal to regulate content on social media platforms.
- He argued that the lack of transparency regarding social media algorithms is harmful and poses a significant threat to global democracies.
- Macron previously expressed concerns about misinformation and foreign interference on social media, calling Europe "too weak and too naive."
- He supports restricting social media access for users under 15 and banning mobile phones in French high schools.
- The European Parliament is also considering legislation to set a harmonized EU digital minimum age of 16 for social media access, with parental consent allowed for ages 13-16.
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