Freedom of expression and online censorship in social media platforms: the European approach

Freedom of expression is a key theme in human life. Following technological development and the introduction of technologies into everyday life, the individual finds with the internet and social networks a possibility of disseminating information and news never seen before. Freedom of expression is therefore amplified and extended in every field, giving crucial possibilities of information but also placing the individual in a position of potential danger resulting from the same possibilities that the web offers. It is essential to understand how the duty of the authorities in the face of the digital world is to balance freedom of expression and information on the web with the possibility of individuals being harmed. Therefore, one of the main challenges of the new millennium is protecting users' rights on the Internet. In recent years, the European Union has introduced instruments of protection against this burning topic in order to regulate online content, however finding itself faced with choices that are aimed at avoiding situations of tension at a personal and international level. The thesis will therefore analyze the concept of freedom of expression with its evolutions and applications to the present day in the face of new political, social, and international challenges.