Investigator: Bojan Perovic

Abstract:
In the contemporary digital landscape, conglomerates like social media platforms and search engines have emerged as pivotal actors shaping societal constructs. They exert influence over public discourse, mold political landscapes, and drive cultural shifts, transcending their original roles. These digital entities compel global regulators to reassess, reformulate, and reimagine governance mechanisms. This research project investigates the regulatory frameworks governing digital platforms within the European Union (EU) and the United States (US). It scrutinizes the influence of these digital entities on societal constructs and the corresponding regulatory responses aimed at balancing digital innovation with public safety, privacy, and free speech. This analysis contrasts the EU’s proactive regulatory measures, exemplified by the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), with the US’s more restrained approach, characterized by the Communications Decency Act’s Section 230 and the principles of the First Amendment.
The project’s objectives include a comparative analysis of the EU and US regulatory approaches to social media governance, assessing their impact on human rights and corporate social responsibility. It also examines the implications of platform liability and content moderation policies, alongside the transatlantic influence of EU regulations on US policy discussions. This research aims to offer insights into the evolving dynamics of digital governance and its implications for global digital rights and corporate practices. This work intends to inform academic, legal, and policy discussions, contributing to a nuanced understanding of social media regulation’s challenges and opportunities in the digital age.