Re: What IS "Social Media"??

On 2026-02-01 09:21, Daniel70 wrote:
> Cross-posted to Linux and Win-11 NGs
> 
> As may here would be aware, last December, the Australian Government 
> brought in Legislation to limit the access to "Social Media" for those 
> under 16 years of age.

Spain just announced (in the Dubai Summit) it is going to do the same. 
The companies, like X, must actually ensure the age of the person before 
granting access. Method not specified, but clicking somewhere is not 
accepted as valid check.

<https://www.rtve.es/noticias/20260203/espana-prohibira-plataformas-menores-16-anos/16921236.shtml>

Site is in Spanish, but the short speech is in English.


The owners of the social media will be held accountable for the 
violations. Not the companies, but the owners.

Musk is outraged.

Sanchez replied "Deja que los tecno-oligarcas ladren, Sancho, es señal 
de que cabalgamos" (Let the techno-oligarchs bark, Sancho, it's a sign 
that we're riding), which is a reference to a phrase from Don Quixote.

Pável Dúrov, the owner of Telegram, has sent a massive message to all 
users in Spain (an abuse of power and intrusion in our privacy). He is 
also very angry.

Who are massively rich people, that use our data to make money, to 
criticize an elected president of a country government, about freedom?

<https://www.eldiario.es/tecnologia/dueno-telegram-envia-alerta-masiva-usuarios-espanoles-acusando-sanchez-imponer-vigilancia_1_12963723.html>

<https://www.eldiario.es/tecnologia/tecnoligarcas-reaccionan-bulos-e-insultos-propuesta-regulacion-sanchez_1_12964721.html>


«Tech moguls react with rumours and insults to Sánchez's proposed regulation

Elon Musk and Pavel Durov, under investigation by French authorities, 
launch a campaign of attacks against the Spanish president after he 
announced measures that would make them criminally liable for damage 
caused by their platforms.»

<https://www.bbc.com/mundo/articles/c4g0nxq66r7o.amp>



About the local reaction in Spain, the right wing party in the 
opposition claimed they had the same idea a year ago and they should 
claim copyright. But they remained silent when the tech moguls reacted. 
So probably the initiative will have the votes to pass.



> 
> Whilst I doubt there were many under-16's using UseNet, I have heard 
> some suggest that it is a "Social Media".
> 
> Facebook ... Sure!
> X ... Sure!
> Instagram .... Sure!
> Youtube .... Some would suggest it is "Social Media", too.
> 
> ... and there are probably others I can't think of or have Never heard of.
> 
> But is UseNet "Social Media"??

Yes, but it has no owner nor responsible entity to mandate about. We are 
fortunate to not be in the focus.

-- 
Cheers, Carlos.
ES🇪🇸, EU🇪🇺;