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exact quotation, and other relevant sections of the speech, translated here: defenddemocracy.eu/macron-democ...

🔥 Finally an EU leader says it out loud: “We have been incredibly naive in entrusting our democratic space to social networks that are controlled either by large American entrepreneurs or large Chinese companies, whose interests are not at all the survival or proper functioning of our democracies.”

President Macron: “Europeans, let's wake up! We have been incredibly naive in entrusting our democratic space to social networks.” defenddemocracy.eu/macron-democ...

We are alarmed by reports that Germany is on the verge of a catastrophic about-face, reversing its longstanding and principled opposition to the EU’s Chat Control proposal which, if passed, could spell the end of the right to privacy in Europe. signal.org/blog/pdfs/ge...

YouTube has a new #AI feature. What risks for #democracy? defenddemocracy.eu/youtube-ai-d... #DefendDemocracy #tech #TK2025

Handige tips voor in verkiezingstijd: Hoe voorkom je dat je per ongeluk desinformatie verspreidt? #TK2025 #NKpol #verkiezingen

Dank voor een mooi gesprek, Bram! Ben erg benieuwd naar de uiteindelijke video. Meer weten? Kijk alvast op @defenddemocracy.bsky.social en @webwatch.bsky.social

Political parties must stop advertising on Meta halfway through the Netherlands' election campaign. What is going on? Our @webwatch.bsky.social had a look: web-watch.org/politieke-ad... #EUsky #TK25 #tech

Last week we celebrated International Democracy Day! #DefendDemocracy brought together inspiring voices for an informal exchange on the future of our democracy. Thanks to @ec.europa.eu guest speaker Simona Constantin for adding real depth to the discussion & to @K_B_Foundation for support.

at the center of the efforts to destroy civil society in russia, hungary, georgia and elsewhere is the stigmatization, harassment, & criminalization of NGOs. that's what this is about, a full-on assault on democratic debate & freedoms. this is not hyperbole. it's right here.

On International #DemocracyDay, Defend Democracy is launching WebWatch, our tech watchdog. First up, we will monitor, analyse and expose the (lack of) digital and information integrity of the Netherlands' elections on 29 October 2025. #EUsky #TK25 #tech

On this International #DemocracyDay, at #DefendDemocracy we are excited to launch WebWatch, our tech watchdog! Follow @webwatch.bsky.social ! More info: defenddemocracy.eu/webwatch-tec...

Here is #DefendDemocracy 's September newsletter! 📰 Read this edition: crm.defenddemocracy.eu/civicrm/?civ... ✏️ Sign up for future editions: defenddemocracy.eu/newsletters/ ✅ Join our democracy defenders & stay tuned!

The world is watching. And so is Defend Democracy. #HandsOff #DefendDemocracy #PeopleVsBigTech

Last week, #DefendDemocracy organised the 3rd 'cross-party lunch on democracy, security & tech', a new initiative under our 'Coalition for Democratic Resilience' program. This time with @EP_Democracy & @EP_Justice advisor. Thanks FNF, HBF & FES for your support! defenddemocracy.eu/projects/coa...

Does the EU have the courage to take and enforce adequate structural measures to defend democracy against the weaponisation of digital platforms? @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu @hennavirkkunen.bsky.social @michaelmcgratheu.bsky.social

There was a time when the US would stand tall in the defense of freedom and democracy. No more. We will now congratulate the winner but “avoid opining on the fairness or integrity of an electoral process, its legitimacy.” Putin will love it! www.wsj.com/politics/pol...

Digital engineering creates not just far-right voters; it manufactures far-right candidates. Does the EU have the courage to take and enforce adequate structural measures to defend democracy against the weaponisation of digital platforms? New analysis: defenddemocracy.eu/poland-2025-...

Here is #DefendDemocracy 's July newsletter! 📰 Read this edition: crm.defenddemocracy.eu/civicrm/?civ... ✏️ Sign up for future editions: defenddemocracy.eu/newsletters/ ✅ Join our democracy defenders & stay tuned!

A new era calls for a new strategy. #DefendDemocracy Board & Director meet to discuss the future of democracy. Where else than in Brussels, the heart of EUrope, leader of the Free World? 🇪🇺💫 (But how long can the EU hold the line if we obey the US in advance & don’t invest in democratic security?)

Paraphrasing Winston Churchill: “You are given the choice between dishonour and trade war. Chose dishonour, and you will have a trade war anyway.” #HandsOff #DefendDemocracy

The most amazing place to discuss 'Security, Safety and Resilience': Białowieża Forest, which during WW2 was a refuge for Polish and Soviet partisans (now a UNESCO World Heritage Site). #DefendDemocracy spoke about 'Security and new technologies: facing AI and disinformation'.

Honoured to exchange with EU Commissioner @michaelmcgratheu.bsky.social to provide input for the European Democracy Shield. One of #DefendDemocracy's recommendations: align EU's MFF budget with the agreed 1.5% NATO defence spending to invest in tech sovereignty & societal resilience to hybrid war.

Thrilled to announce a bold ally of #DefendDemocracy! Former Minister of Foreign Affairs @glandsbergis.bsky.social joins our Advisory Board. "Freedom runs in my family. The survival of our freedoms relies on strong defence of our values & borders." defenddemocracy.eu/about/adviso...

While EU leaders meet, #DefendDemocracy held its own EU summit: @epc-official.bsky.social Chief Executive @FabianZuleeg joined our monthly @democracydrinks.bsky.social to discuss how Europe can defend its liberal democracy by taking decisive action asap. www.epc.eu/publication/...

Here is #DefendDemocracy 's June newsletter! 📰 Read this edition: crm.defenddemocracy.eu/civicrm/?civ... ✏️ Sign up for future editions: defenddemocracy.eu/newsletters/ ✅ Join our democracy defenders & stay tuned!

Defend Democracy joins call urging Europe to put democracy at the heart of its new security agenda. #NATOsummit #EUpol #security www.kofiannanfoundation.org/news/democra...

Very proud of #DefendDemocracy and the entire team to pull off this high-level conference with the Polish EU Presidency on defending democracy! Here's a thread with pictures & impressions. Sign up to our newsletter to stay tuned for more: defenddemocracy.eu/newsletters/ #Poland25EU #EUsky #NATO

Honoured to co-organise a conference with @poland25eu.bsky.social: Defending Democracy in the New Geopolitical Landscape: How to accelerate EU’s Preparedness against Hybrid Threats? Great collaboration & thanks for security & resilience as #Poland25EU priority! defenddemocracy.eu/events/13-ju...

Thanks to our co-organiser @poland25eu.bsky.social and partner @eudiplomacy.bsky.social for an inspiring conference: “Defending Democracy in the new geopolitical landscape. How to accelerate EU’s preparedness against hybrid threats”. Sign up & stay tuned for more: defenddemocracy.eu/newsletters/

Last week, #DefendDemocracy organised the 2nd 'cross-party lunches on democracy, security and tech', a new initiative under our 'Coalition for Democratic Resilience' program. This time with a @EP_Defence & @EP_SingleMarket advisor. Thanks to all for joining! defenddemocracy.eu/projects/coa...

Honoured to join @ec.europa.eu @danishmfa.bsky.social & others for @eesc.bsky.social expert hearing "Enhancing EU´s ability to protect European democracies". #DefendDemocracy message: invest in civil preparedness & societal resilience against hybrid & tech threats NOW. ec.europa.eu/info/law/bet...

Greetings from Poland, where we discussed how the European #DemocracyShield can truly support democratic resilience. #DefendDemocracy was honoured to join this important foresight session. 📸 (c) Michał Kisiel; thank you @visegradinsight.bsky.social

Forget Greenland, Ireland is the European island the U.S. already owns. And when it comes to Big Tech, Dublin is Trump’s Trojan horse. High time for a centralised EU agency to police all European tech laws, including the GDPR, DMA, DSA. #DefendDemocracy #EUpol www.politico.eu/article/irel...

Here is #DefendDemocracy 's May newsletter! 📰 Read this edition: crm.defenddemocracy.eu/civicrm/?civ... ✏️ Sign up for future editions: defenddemocracy.eu/newsletters/ ✅ Join our democracy defenders & stay tuned!

Ever heard of 'crypto democracy'? Join us in 'The Language of Power' podcast, where we explore how crypto is reshaping democracy, finance & geopolitics. 🎧 EPC speaks with our director @stollmeyer.bsky.social & historian of digital technology @joelitobarski.bsky.social www.epc.eu/podcast/the-...

Our democracy, our security, our tech should be non-partisan causes: to improve, protect and defend together. Many thanks to former Europe Minister, now Chair of the EU Parliament's Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield, @nathalieloiseau.bsky.social for opening a cross-party exchange!

#DefendDemocracy is thrilled to launch cross-party lunches on democracy, security and tech, a new initiative under our 'Coalition for Democratic Resilience' program. Thank you @EP_Democracy Chair @nathalieloiseau.bsky.social for opening the first exchange! defenddemocracy.eu/projects/coa...

Thank you European Commission DG Justice for inviting #DefendDemocracy to participate in today's focus group on the European Democracy Shield. Some of our thoughts: defenddemocracy.eu/defending-ou...

The EU needs more courage in enforcing its digital laws. “The world is watching — and so is Defend Democracy.” #EUsky #EUpol #DMA #DSA #EU #BigTech defenddemocracy.eu/eu-needs-mor...

Thank you for a passionate exchange about defending democracy, resilience, Ukraine, and the importance of standing up for our values — especially in a changing transatlantic relationship! Such an honour to host a @democracydrinks.bsky.social with former U.S. Ambassador to the EU Anthony Gardner.

Democratic backsliding leads to significantly poorer country credit ratings academic.oup.com/ser/advance-...

Trump-Musk regime prepares drastic overhaul of U.S. State Department. It would eliminate Africa operations, and shut down bureaus working on human rights and democracy. A huge gift to China and Russia. #DefendDemocracy #HandsOFF #CourageON www.nytimes.com/2025/04/20/u...

Here is #DefendDemocracy 's April newsletter! 📰 Read this edition: crm.defenddemocracy.eu/civicrm/?civ... ✏️ Sign up for future editions: defenddemocracy.eu/newsletters/ ✅ Join our democracy defenders & stay tuned!

"How long can Europe hold the line if we don’t take defending our democracy as serious as defending our territory?" #DefendDemocracy #HandsOFF #CourageON defenddemocracy.eu/handsoff-our...

Zuck off! Musk off! European democracy is not for sale. Today we stand to defend democracy and the rule of law. @sophieintveld.bsky.social @defenddemocracy.bsky.social

#Democracy won't defend itself - we must. With Trump, Putin and techbros teaming up, it is time we stand up to #DefendDemocracy while we still can. Thanks to all who joined today's #HandsOFF Our Democracy protest in Brussels! defenddemocracy.eu/europeans-st... #EUsky #EUpol #Europe #EU

🇪🇺 Across Europe, democracy is under pressure — from disinformation, authoritarian influence, and efforts to silence civil society. 🛑 Join us this 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝟯:𝟬𝟬 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁 (𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝘂𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗺𝗲̀𝗱𝗲) as we stand for democracy with Defend Democracy and many others. 🔗 bit.ly/43TpbvY

Dear Europeans, democracy won't defend itself. A like or share on social media is not enough. With Trump, Putin and techbros teaming up, it is time for us to stand up. #HandsOFF OUR DEMOCRACY!! Join us Wednesday 16 April 13:00 in Brussels to #DefendDemocracy: defenddemocracy.eu/europeans-st...