04/03/2026 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 4 March, the European Commission registered a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) entitled ‘European Public Social Network’. This initiative calls on the Commission to create, by legislative means, “a public social media platform at European level” which would “operate as a service for society, financed by society and placed under its control” and which “could remain impartial and independent of political pressure while guaranteeing the rights of all without distinction”. In essence, a European alternative to foreign platforms, accused of disinformation, interference and spreading sensitive or even illegal content (see EUROPE 13767/1). At this stage, the Commission has not analysed the substance of the proposals, and registering the initiative does not mean that it will be adopted. The Commission will only take a decision on the initiative if it receives at least one million signatures from EU citizens. (IS)