GAFAM, pluralism and freedom of expression

Question for written answer  E-000273/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Jean-Lin Lacapelle (ID)

The suspension of Donald Trump’s accounts and those of thousands of other internet users across most of the major digital platforms, as well as the banning of the Parler social network on the Amazon, Google and Apple platforms, have shown that the digital giants can ride roughshod over the most basic principles of freedom of expression and plurality of opinion.

Moreover, by censoring and monitoring our freedom of expression, these digital giants are endeavouring to impose and disseminate their globalist ideology.

This ability to eradicate whole swathes of opinion – and also, potentially, of the economy, culture and services – raises questions in democratic and judicial terms.

In the light of the above, does the Commission:

• 1.intend to guarantee the maximum possible freedom of expression for political representatives and citizens within the limits of the law?
• 2.plan to establish European structural networks, regulated in accordance with European and national law and aimed at maintaining social pluralism?
• 3.believe that freedom of expression should be redefined – as happened with freedom of information – to take into account the incommensurable asymmetries which digital technology can give rise to between actors? If so, how?