The latest plans by Pedro Sánchez’s government to establish a permanent surveillance structure for social networks raise serious questions about digital freedom of expression in Spain. Under the guise of combating “hate speech,” the government appears to be creating a mechanism that could effectively suppress inconvenient opinions.
Censorship or Protection? The Debate on “Hate Speech”
The official justification for this initiative is the containment of “hate speech.” This term, increasingly losing its clarity, is seen by critics as a tool for restricting freedom of expression to censor dissenting viewpoints. While protection against racism and xenophobia is undeniably important, the definition of what constitutes “hate speech” remains alarmingly vague. Who decides which opinions are legitimate and which should be removed? This central question remains unanswered.
Meeting with Tech Giants: A Step Towards Collaboration?
Elma Saiz, the Minister of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration, met with representatives of major tech companies such as Meta, Google, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok. The goal was to strengthen mechanisms for detecting and removing content that the government deems inappropriate. Although the official version speaks of a “safer and more respectful digital environment,” many observers see this as a dangerous development towards state control. The collaboration with the Spanish Observatory of Racism and Xenophobia (OBERAXE), which already produces reports on social media, reinforces these concerns. An example cited was the incident in Torre-Pacheco, used to justify the need for this surveillance.
The “Permanent Monitoring Group”: A State Control Body?
As a result of the meeting, a “permanent monitoring group” will be established, dedicated to observing and analyzing online expressions. This body will effectively function as a state surveillance system for social networks, supported by the platforms themselves, which must cooperate in removing content deemed “hateful” or offensive.
The presented figures illustrate the scope of the desired control: In 2024 alone, OBERAXE reported nearly 3,000 publications as potentially criminal, 35% of which were deleted. In 2025, over 500,000 messages have already been classified as “hate speech,” with one-third removed – still deemed insufficient by the government.
Trusted Flaggers: The Power of Selected Voices
A particularly concerning aspect is the system of “trusted flaggers.” These are government-authorized entities whose complaints are almost three times more successful than those of private users. This creates a hierarchy in the right to complain and signals that only certain voices, recognized by the authorities, carry weight.
Minister Saiz emphasized that the government “will not turn a deaf ear” and that social networks have “real consequences.” However, it remains unclear how this system will prevent legitimate criticism, dissenting opinions, or even satirical content that does not conform to the official ideological filter from being censored. For many critics, a censorship machine is being established, turning major tech platforms into accomplices.
This new offensive by the Sánchez government intensifies control over the digital space under the guise of political correctness. It blurs the lines between protecting rights and selectively suppressing opinions. This could undermine social cohesion and transform social networks into increasingly monitored and less free spaces.
