The Dutch Media Authority (CvdM) has warned that social media platforms are undermining people’s ability to form independent and informed opinions, calling the trend a growing

threat to democracy.

In a report released Tuesday, the regulator said platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and X increasingly shape what users see through algorithm-driven feeds designed to maximize engagement and profit. The findings come amid rising concern over the influence of social media companies, particularly as younger audiences rely more heavily on these platforms for news and information.

According to the CvdM, the algorithms behind social media feeds often prioritize sensational, divisive, or emotionally charged content — even when the information is misleading or unreliable. The watchdog also highlighted the practice of “shadowbanning,” in which platforms limit the visibility of certain posts or creators without notifying users or content producers.

The authority argued that users have little meaningful control over the content presented to them, while platforms exert significant influence over public discourse. As a result, people are increasingly exposed only to information that reinforces their existing beliefs, a development the regulator says contributes to social polarization and opinion manipulation.

The report further warned that recommendation algorithms can amplify extremist rhetoric, misinformation, and other harmful content, placing additional pressure on the credibility of journalism and public debate. The growing use of AI-generated content is expected to intensify those risks.

The CvdM said it hopes the report will encourage stronger oversight and more effective enforcement of existing European regulations aimed at improving transparency and accountability on digital platforms. While the European Union already has legislation that could help create “healthier” online feeds, the regulator said policymakers must do more to ensure those rules are properly implemented. Photo by Solen Feyissa, Wikimedia commons.