Council of Europe Adopts New Standards to Curb Big Tech Power and Protect User Rights

The Council is championing a concept known as “empowerment by design,” which requires platforms to provide users with meaningful control over their online experience through actionable rights and specialized tools.

RMN News Technology Desk
New Delhi | April 13, 2026

STRASBOURG – The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, representing 46 member states, has officially adopted a landmark Recommendation aimed at transforming the digital landscape through enhanced platform accountability and user empowerment. The move establishes a comprehensive, human rights-based framework designed to address the risks posed by the current digital ecosystem.

Challenging Opaque Algorithms

The Recommendation comes in response to concerns that a handful of powerful platforms currently dictate user engagement through opaque and unaccountable systems. According to the Council, profit-driven designs often prioritize corporate gain over information integrity and individual rights, leaving users exposed to risks without the necessary tools to make informed decisions.

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To combat this, the new legal instrument calls for greater transparency and democratic accountability. It advocates for enhanced oversight by independent public authorities and civil society, specifically regarding how platforms—particularly large ones—design their interfaces and algorithms.

Protecting Freedom of Expression and Vulnerable Groups

A central pillar of the new guidance is the protection of freedom of expression. The Recommendation seeks to create an enabling environment where all individuals, including women, children, and other groups at increased risk, can participate in online spaces safely and freely.

Member states are provided with clear guidance on how to update legislation and regulation to tackle pressing online harms, such as:

• Disinformation and hate speech.
• Harassment.
• Algorithmic discrimination.

The framework also clarifies the specific responsibilities of states, online platforms, and content creators to ensure a balanced approach to digital governance.

Empowerment by Design

The Council is championing a concept known as “empowerment by design,” which requires platforms to provide users with meaningful control over their online experience through actionable rights and specialized tools. This approach also extends to content creators, offering them support to meet their responsibilities when sharing material.

Furthermore, the Recommendation stresses the importance of protecting children from digital risks. It calls for evidence-based and proportionate measures, such as carefully designed age checks that respect user privacy, to ensure the best interests of minors are prioritized in the digital sphere.