New Discussion Paper: Regulating Digital Platforms in Times of Democratic Crisis
In a new discussion paper, Weizenbaum scholars examine recent changes in the content moderation practices of major social media companies, with the authors analyzing these developments in the context of ongoing democratic erosion.
Digital platforms have become a defining feature of contemporary societies, increasingly shaping commercial activities, political organization, cultural life, and beyond. As their infrastructures expand, the scaling back of measures designed to maintain standards and trust in their influence on online speech raises serious concerns.
In this paper, WI scholars Clara Iglesias Keller, Jakob Ohme, Lukas Seiling, and Christoph Neuberger briefly analyze these developments in the context of ongoing democratic erosion, particularly in the U.S. The aim is to encourage future research and public debate by providing key insights into the implications of the current scenario for Germany and the European Union.