Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday challenged traditional understandings of free expression, arguing that speech cannot be meaningfully “free” if digital platforms operate without transparency around their algorithms.

Speaking at an event promoting university and technology partnerships between France and India, Macron said that the way social media platforms guide users through content raises serious democratic concerns. “Free speech is pure bulls*** if nobody knows how you are guided through this,” he said, referring to the influence of algorithms.

Macron emphasized that algorithms inherently contain bias and exert significant influence over public debate. “All the algorithms have biases, we know that. There is no doubt,” he stated, adding that without clarity on how they are designed, tested, and deployed, their impact on democratic systems could be substantial.

His remarks come as the European Union continues to advance aggressive digital regulations. In recent years, Brussels has implemented measures such as the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act, aimed at increasing platform transparency, strengthening content moderation rules, and limiting the market dominance of major technology companies.

European officials argue the regulatory framework is necessary to combat misinformation, foreign interference, and algorithmic manipulation. In contrast, the United States has historically favored broader First Amendment protections and limited government involvement in online speech.

Critics in the U.S. warn that Europe’s approach risks suppressing lawful expression and imposing state-backed standards that conflict with America’s free speech tradition.