Swiss Millionaire Backs Initiative to Hold Social Media Giants Accountable for Disinformation

Swiss Millionaire Plans Initiative to Combat Online Disinformation

Entrepreneur Guido Fluri has announced plans to launch a popular initiative aimed at holding tech companies more accountable for online disinformation and extremism. The Swiss multimillionaire expressed disappointment with measures recently announced by the Federal Council, describing them as insufficient to address growing concerns about harmful content on major platforms.

“The Federal Council’s proposal is disappointing and not very forward-looking,” said Fluri, who ranks among Switzerland’s 300 wealthiest individuals according to “Bilanz” magazine. His initiative would impose stricter obligations on technology companies, requiring them to take responsibility for content in ways similar to traditional media outlets.

Fluri intends to submit his initiative text to the Federal Chancellery before year’s end and aims to quickly gather the required 100,000 signatures needed for the measure to advance. Drawing from his previous successful advocacy experience, Fluri hopes to complete the signature collection process within eight months, mirroring the timeline of his earlier “Wiedergutmachungsinitiative” campaign, which sought restitution for victims of child trafficking.

The entrepreneur has pledged to invest “all necessary resources” to ensure the success of what he calls his “Internet initiative,” suggesting he is prepared to commit substantial financial backing to the cause.

Fluri’s announcement comes just days after the Federal Council submitted its Federal Act on Communication Platforms and Search Engines for consultation—a proposal that arrives approximately 18 months later than initially planned. The government’s proposed legislation would require major communication platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Google to implement simplified reporting procedures for users to flag potentially illegal content.

The Federal Council’s approach represents Switzerland’s attempt to join other nations in regulating large tech platforms that have faced mounting criticism for their handling of misinformation, hate speech, and extremist content. However, critics like Fluri argue that these measures fail to address the full scope of the problem.

Switzerland’s direct democracy system allows citizens to propose constitutional amendments through popular initiatives if they gather sufficient signatures, giving Fluri’s proposal a clear path forward if it resonates with voters.

Online disinformation has become an increasingly pressing concern globally, with platforms struggling to balance free expression with responsibility for the content they host. The European Union has already implemented the Digital Services Act, which imposes stricter content moderation requirements on large tech companies, while the United States continues to debate various regulatory approaches.

Fluri’s initiative would potentially position Switzerland among the more assertive regulators of digital content if successful. The entrepreneur’s previous initiative experience demonstrates his ability to navigate Switzerland’s political landscape effectively, having successfully advocated for compensation for victims of compulsory social measures.

As digital platforms continue to shape public discourse and information consumption, the debate over who bears responsibility for online content—the platforms themselves or the users who post it—remains contentious across democratic societies. Fluri’s initiative represents an attempt to shift more of that responsibility toward the technology companies that profit from user engagement.

The Federal Council’s proposal will undergo consultation in the coming months, while Fluri prepares to launch his competing vision for stronger platform regulation through Switzerland’s direct democratic process.