Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz has intensified her criticism of the social media platform X, announcing her departure from it and asserting that continued use of the site contributes to policies rooted in hatred.
Speaking to reporters, Díaz stated that she has left X and believes the public should understand the implications of remaining on the platform. “Everyone should do what they think they should do. I’ve left X, and I believe the public needs to know that the point we’re making is that anyone who is on X is feeding those policies of hatred, especially since that network is now a place of hatred.”
Spain's Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz:
— Clash Report (@clashreport) February 6, 2026
I have left X. That network is a place of hate.
We are not vassals of Elon Musk or Trump. pic.twitter.com/tNqvLtGr7O
“Everyone should do what they think they should do. I’ve left X, and I believe the public needs to know that the point we’re making is that anyone who is on X is feeding those policies of hatred, especially since that network is now a place of hatred. What needs to be done? Obviously, I’ve been saying it: we are not vassals of Elon Musk or Trump. And I have been advocating for the comprehensive regulation of the big American tech companies. I’ve said they need to come down to earth and pay taxes. It’s not fair that Spanish business owners compete while complying with labor rights, collective bargaining agreements, and paying taxes, only for there to be an ultra-rich elite, friends with Trump, who don’t pay taxes in our country.”
She emphasized Spain’s independence from external influences, saying, “What needs to be done? Obviously, I’ve been saying it: we are not vassals of Elon Musk or Trump.” Díaz has long advocated for stricter oversight of major American technology companies, calling for comprehensive regulation. She argued that these firms must “come down to earth and pay taxes,” highlighting an uneven playing field where Spanish businesses adhere to labor rights, collective bargaining, and tax obligations, while an “ultra-rich elite, friends with Trump,” avoids such responsibilities in the country.
This latest statement follows Díaz’s earlier decision to abandon X in January, prompted by what she described as the platform’s transformation under Elon Musk’s ownership. At that time, she accused Musk of using X for political purposes, turning it from a communication tool into a “propaganda mechanism” that manipulates its algorithm to favor certain ideas and sway public opinion. She referenced a gesture Musk made during events surrounding Donald Trump’s inauguration, which she characterized as emulating a Nazi salute and found deeply disturbing. “Last night, the entire planet witnessed Elon Musk emulating the Nazi salute in the context of Donald Trump’s inauguration. It was a very disturbing image that led me to make a decision I’ve been considering for several months.”
Defending democracy means stepping away from tools that undermine it.
— Yolanda Díaz (@Yolanda_Diaz_) January 21, 2025
Let’s continue the conversation on other platforms. pic.twitter.com/hE8lebyEZt
Díaz noted that various institutions and individuals, including public universities, media outlets, scientific journals, environmental organizations, trade unions, and public officials across political lines, along with millions of users, had already left the platform, viewing it as harmful to democracy and a primary channel for misinformation and fake news. She declared no space remained for genuine deliberation on X and pointed to alternatives, listing Bluesky, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook as platforms she would continue using.
Her comments come amid Spain’s ongoing push for stronger controls on social media, including a government proposal to prohibit access for users under 16. The initiative, announced by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, seeks to shield children from harmful online content and the “digital wild west,” while imposing greater accountability on tech companies for hateful material. The plan has drawn sharp responses internationally, including criticism from Musk himself, reflecting heightened tensions between European regulators and U.S.-based tech giants.
Díaz’s repeated departures and criticisms underscore a growing divide over the role of social media in public discourse, particularly concerns about algorithmic amplification of divisive content, misinformation, and political influence. Her stance aligns with calls from parts of Europe’s left for robust regulation to protect democratic processes and ensure fair economic competition.
