PRO seeks legal ban on addictive algorithms
MP Barbara Kathmann presented a proposal for binding safety requirements for social media and other apps.
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PRO MP Barbara Kathmann tabled a bill on Monday targeting addictive design on social media. The proposal would bring algorithms and design choices that, according to its sponsor, manipulate users under statutory rules.
According to reports on the proposal, Kathmann wants social media no longer to be able to rely mainly on voluntary guidelines. Platforms would have to meet statutory safety requirements. The measure targets algorithms that bring users back to a service for prolonged or repeated periods.
The proposed rules would apply not only to social media. Games, dating apps and chatbots are also mentioned as services in which enticing or manipulative design choices may occur. The proposal links these practices to the broader concept of online safety.
The sponsor argues that existing protection is inadequate, particularly for children and young people. The proposal thus ties in with an ongoing European debate about addictive algorithms, harmful content and age limits. In principle, the government supports the EU Kids Act, but it also has concerns about privacy and fundamental rights.
What the proposal would prohibit exactly depends on its legal elaboration. The precise wording of the prohibitions, the regulator, possible fines and the date on which the Lower House (Tweede Kamer) will consider the proposal are not yet clear. It is therefore too early to speak of new rules that are already in force.
One political question is where responsibility should lie. Kathmann places the emphasis on the design of platforms and the companies that profit from it. From a right-wing perspective, possible objections include enforceability, users’ freedom and the risk that a ban would be difficult to enforce objectively.
Nothing will change for users on Monday. It must first become clear whether the proposal will be formally submitted in accordance with parliamentary procedure, whether it will pass the House and how it relates to European legislation. The main new development is that the issue has once again appeared in concrete form on the Dutch political agenda.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- PRO presented a proposal for statutory safety requirements for social media on 2 November.
- The available reports mention a ban on addictive or manipulative algorithms.
- The exact enforcement arrangements and sanctions are not yet known.
Left
Arguments Platforms profit from attention and should therefore be held legally responsible for design choices that keep vulnerable users engaged for long periods.
Values Protection of young people, public health and the balance of power between citizens and large technology companies.
Consequences Stricter rules could change platform design, but could also lead to legal disputes over the boundary between protection and censorship.
Centre
Arguments Rules are conceivable, but they must demonstrably work, be technically verifiable and fit with European legislation.
Values Proportionality, fundamental rights and workable institutions.
Consequences A step-by-step approach could limit risks, but may allow harmful design choices to remain in place for longer.
Right
Arguments Parents and users should retain considerable scope to make their own choices; a broad statutory definition of addiction could hinder innovation and free communication.
Values Personal responsibility, freedom of choice and a restrained government.
Consequences Fewer rules could protect innovation, but would place more responsibility on families and individual users.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The factual core is based on two independent reports from 2 November and the government’s recent response to European rules. Unknown elements are explicitly described as uncertain or not yet available.
- confirmed Barbara Kathmann tabled a proposal on 2 November targeting addictive algorithms. — This is reported by DagKern and FOK.nl. source
- confirmed The proposal also mentions games, dating apps and chatbots. — This is stated in FOK.nl’s reporting. source
- confirmed In principle, the government supports the EU Kids Act but cites concerns about privacy and fundamental rights. — This is stated in the government’s report of 30 October. source
Editor's note
It is certain that Kathmann presented a proposal on 2 November. The exact bill text, enforcement arrangements and parliamentary consideration were not yet available in open sources.Sources
More on this in Dutch media
- Het Parool — „sociale media”
- Trouw — „sociale media”
- NRC — „sociale media”