Hinihiling na ipagbawal Twitters problematic Trump ban troubles EuropeIbahagi Facebook PARIS Twitters decision to impose a permanent ban on US President Donald Trumps account has sparked some consternation in Europe

with German Chancellor Angela Merkel calling it problematic. The move

prompted by fears of further incitement of violence after last weeks attack on the US Capitol building that was partly blamed on the US president

reignited debate over regulation of social media.Facebook

Instagram and Snapchat have all now issued their own bans

triggering a flood of reactions from around the world.European commissioner Thierry Breton

who has introduced two EU proposals that would place more restraints on digital giants

saw Twitters decision as a total break from the past

calling it the 911 moment of social media in an oped published by Politico.US internet giants have often been accused of holding too much power over social media

and many governments have called for them to face more regulation.Merkels spokesman Steffen Seibert said she considers it problematic that the accounts of the US president have been permanently blocked.He added It is possible to intervene in the freedom of expression

but in accordance with limits defined by the legislator

and not through a decision by company management.Digital oligarchyFrench Economy and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire agreed

telling staterun France Inter radio The regulation of digital giants cannot be done by the digital oligarchy itself.Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny also denounced on Twitter what he branded an unacceptable act of censorship based on emotion and personal political preferences.Digital law specialist Florence Gsell

who called Twitters decision an earthquake

detailed a threepart plan on the part of the European Union that she said could be of great interest to the Americans.The EU intends to set up a procedure for implementing moderation decisions

a way to contest these decisions and the possibility of resolving disputes through a third party

she told AFP

stressing that legislation is needed on both sides of the Atlantic.I think the platforms are ready to cooperate. But we mustnt be naive there are enormous financial stakes. They have greatly profited from the polarisation.US social media have regularly cited Section 230 of the US Communications Decency Act when they claim to simply host accounts but not bear responsibility for the content.Transnational problemThe dogma anchored in section 230 the U.S. legislation that provides social media companies with immunity from civil liability for content posted by their users has collapsed

Breton wrote.It is a monument that has collapsed in the information space

he added in remarks to journalists Monday in French.For the first time in the history of social media

this act acknowledges by those who are the main actors

that they have an editorial responsibility

he said.Digital lawyer Christiane FeralSchuh noted

for her part In the United States

the First Amendment protects American citizens against any infringement of their freedom of expression

but the Supreme Court also considered that private actors could moderate their discussion spaces as they wish.Nevertheless

what the platforms are doing is tantamount to censorship couched in their general conditions

she told AFP.She warned that laws will not be enough to resolve the problem

which she called transnational

and stressed the need for due process when the platforms suspend accounts

remove posts and so on. That is