Digital Violence Fuels Call for Traceable Online Identities

A prominent Spanish feminist and lawyer, Carla Galeote, has voiced strong opinions regarding the government's proposed social media regulations. Following her experience with online abuse, including deepfake nude images, Galeote advocates for making all online accounts traceable to effectively combat digital violence. She argues that current government responses are insufficient, emphasizing that the problem of online harassment predates AI technology.

Galeote criticizes Spain's proposed ban on social media access for individuals under 16 as paternalistic, insisting that universal protection for all users is paramount. She believes that regulations and freedom of expression can coexist, drawing a parallel between shouting threats on the street and online harassment. Instead of monetary fines, she suggests barring platforms from major markets for repeated violations. Galeote supports pseudonymous use but stresses the necessity of a real, traceable identity behind every account, regardless of the chosen username.