EU chief calls on US to help rein in powerful social media giants

This video grab taken on January 26, 2021, from the website of the World Economic Forum shows European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaking during an all-virtual World Economic Forum, which usually takes place in Davos, Switzerland. Ursula von der Leyen urged the United States under President Joe Biden to work together with Brussels on regulating the tech giants. / World Economic Forum (WEF) / AFP-Yonhap

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called on the United States to help rein in the power of social media firms, creating a global rule book "based on our values."

"The business model of online platforms has an impact, not only on free and fair competition, but also on our democracies, our security and on the quality of our information," von der Leyen said Tuesday.

Internet companies must take responsibility for how they spread, promote and remove content, she said, using her address at the World Economic Forum to appeal to Washington.

For example, Twitter's decision to shut down former US president Donald Trump's account during the storming of the Capitol should not have been decided by company rules alone, she stressed.

Some 2,000 political and business leaders are taking part in the event to debate the challenges of the year ahead.

It is being held online because of the Covid-19 pandemic, instead of the usual gathering at the Swiss mountain resort of Davos. (DPA)