Freedom of expression and digital rights in social media: Challenges and risks

This paper deals with the issue of the growing powers of online platforms and social media in the new digital era and their impact on our privacy. Subsequently, on the occasion of the suspension of Donald Trump’s accounts by Facebook and Twitter, serious concerns arise regarding the protection of fundamental rights, such as the right to freedom of expression, in the online environment as well as the operational and organisational challenges in implementing and meeting privacy requirements. Through a comparative analysis of the European and international legal frameworks that cover the freedom of expression, this paper aims to demonstrate how to balance the rights, freedoms and interests of the individual against the challenges imposed by the ongoing technological evolutions. Moreover, ‘A Europe fit for the digital age’ is one of the most important priorities of the European Commission for the years 2019–24 and includes the promotion of technology and science in an open, democratic and sustainable digital society. Social media play a major role in the implementation of a fair and competitive digital economy as they constitute a forum of commerce and culture. The extent of their interference with our digital rights, however, is controversial. In addition, there is no complete and clear regulatory framework regarding their powers and operation. Therefore, the ultimate goal of the study is to propose fruitful solutions to the internet governance with respect to the consolidation of digital privacy and the deployment of technological tools, such as artificial intelligence.