Overview
- Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said a bill will be introduced as early as next week to bar under‑16s and require “real” age‑verification barriers beyond self‑declared checkboxes.
- The plan would criminalize algorithmic amplification of illegal content and make platform leaders liable for failing to remove illegal or hateful material, with a proposed “hate and polarization footprint” to assess platform impacts.
- Passage is uncertain because the governing coalition lacks a majority, though the center‑right Popular Party signaled openness as the far‑right Vox criticized the move.
- Spain’s announcement aligns with a broader shift as Australia enforces a nationwide under‑16 ban, France advances an under‑15 measure, Denmark outlines restrictions, and a Greek official says a similar ban is “very close.”
- Tech and rights groups highlight enforcement, privacy and evasion risks, industry points to large under‑16 account removals in Australia, Reddit is challenging Australia’s law, and Elon Musk attacked Sánchez in posts on X.