Europe cannot bow down to the tech oligarchs. Our democracy and rule of law are at stake [Promoted content]

The arrival of Elon Musk at Twitter's helm marked the beginning of an alarming era where unchecked tech moguls could threaten the very foundations of our European democratic institutions and social fabric. As these billionaires exercise their power to shape discourse on major platforms, we must confront the reality that our digital spaces are becoming battlegrounds where the highest bidder can dictate the terms of free speech, privacy, and misinformation. The time is now for European regulators to assert their authority and protect our citizens from the whims of Silicon Valley's elite, ensuring that our digital environment fosters a healthy democracy, respects rule of law, and upholds the values that define us.

The narrative that European democracy is at peril because of tech entrepreneurs like Elon Musk sidesteps the vital discussion about innovation and free market competition. By positioning Musk and his counterparts as threats, we risk demonizing the very ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit that have propelled our society forward. European regulators' overreach into the operations of tech companies not only stifles economic growth but also infringes upon the principles of free speech. As we navigate the complexities of the digital age, it's imperative that Europe balances its regulatory ambitions with the respect for individual rights and market dynamics that have long underpinned Western prosperity.