Social Media and European Regulation

Course focus and approach:  

This course delves into the dynamic relationship between social media platforms and European regulatory frameworks. It offers a comprehensive overview of the legal and regulatory landscape that governs social media activities within the European Union. The course begins with an introduction to the foundational principles of EU law and the regulatory bodies involved in overseeing digital communication.

Course description:  

The course studies the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), exploring its requirements, enforcement mechanisms, and impact on social media companies and users. Students will gain an understanding of how the GDPR has transformed data privacy practices and set a global standard for data protection. The course also examines the Digital Services Act (DSA) and its implementation regulations on content moderation, analyzing its provisions aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and user safety on digital platforms. Through case studies, students will investigate real-world applications of these regulations and assess their effectiveness in addressing issues such as misinformation, hate speech, content moderation, and online harassment. In addition to the GDPR and DSA, the course covers other relevant directives and regulations, including the ePrivacy Directive, the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the European Media Freedom Act and the EU Artificial Intelligence Act. Students will explore the challenges and opportunities these regulations present for social media companies, policymakers, and users. 

Learning objectives:  

By the end of the course, students will be equipped with a thorough understanding of European social media regulations and their broader implications for the future of digital communication and governance in Europe.

By the end of the course, students will be able to: 

1. Identify the key challenges for fundamental rights that social media entails.

2.Understand the role of the European Union in the regulation of social  media.

3.Assess the impact and suitability of the main regulations and tools employed in the regulation of social media.