Europe vs. Big Tech: What's at Stake Now

The Digital Services Act was supposed to be Europe's answer to the power of the platforms. Two years after it came into force, however, the picture is sobering: hate speech, disinformation, political propaganda, and content harmful to children continue to dominate the major social media offerings. At the same time, Europe's attempt to effectively regulate Big Tech is coming under increasing pressure — not only from the corporations themselves, but also from the US government. Is the years-long struggle for democratic guardrails on Big Tech at risk of failing?

Two of the most prominent voices for democracy, digital rights, and platform regulation in the German-speaking world meet on the Publix stage. Anna-Lena von Hodenberg, co-founder and CEO of HateAid, has been advocating for the rights of victims of digital violence for years. She was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit for her work; at the end of 2025, the US government imposed an entry ban on her and other supporters of European platform regulation. Alexandra Geese (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen), Member of the European Parliament, was one of the key negotiators of the Digital Services Act and advocates for Europe's digital sovereignty in the face of growing dependence on US technology companies.
Journalist Maria Exner speaks with both experts about current developments in Brussels, Washington, and on the platforms themselves. What new risks are emerging from artificial intelligence? How is the balance of power between the European Union and the US government shifting? What role does the German federal government play? And how can we protect ourselves and our democracy when the regulation of Big Tech stalls? The on-stage conversation leaves room for questions and dialogue with the audience.

For those who can't be there in person: Like all events in the "Publix Thursday" series, this evening will be recorded and subsequently published on the Publix YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@PublixBerlin