Strengthening the Digital Public Sphere and Platform Regulation

For the first time since their founding, major social networks, video apps and search engines are facing the fact that they are not the only ones setting the rules for how the digital communication spaces of millions of people are shaped. Lawmakers in Germany, Europe and other countries are currently trying to develop rules and auditing procedures for tech companies. Driving this legislative push are possible dangers arising from dominant market positions, data protection violations, opaque business processes, or inadequate handling of disinformation and hate speech. 

However, it is still unclear what such rules might look like and how exactly different risks and approaches can be weighed against each other in the process. Against this backdrop, SNV is analyzing and developing ideas for risk assessments as well as for platform regulation at the German, European and transatlantic levels. We are in exchange with international experts, write policy papers with analyses and recommendations and participate in consultations and civil society formats.