Almost two decades after the rise of online platforms, governments across the world including in the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, have started designing new frameworks to regulate these services. Debate and controversy has been rife, including the recent Congressional hearing of the Facebook whistle-blower Frances Haugen and Apple’s reversal of its plan to scan images and videos on its devices to detect child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Increased regulation will have important implications both for these businesses and for wider society.

Democratic governments face numerous challenges in attempting to regulate the online space. They grapple with sometimes contradictory objectives, as they attempt to find a balance between keeping the internet safe, while also protecting fundamental rights, including freedom of speech.