Algorithms and the public debate – The government sets out its digital-sovereignty and public-awareness initiatives (26 january 2026)

The Government held the first Digital Sovereignty Meetings at Bercy on Monday 26 January, chaired by Anne Le Hénanff, Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs. The event was an opportunity to set out the executive's digital sovereignty initiatives, put forward jointly by the Ministry for the Economy, Finance and Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. During the event, the Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs set out two complementary initiatives aimed at mapping public and private actors' digital dependence: the Digital Sovereignty Observatory, under the responsibility of the Haut-commissariat à la Stratégie et au Plan [body contributing to public policy through analyses and proposals]; and the Digital Resilience Index, a private initiative chaired by Olivier Sichel.

The 26 January event comes within the context of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs' launch of a public awareness campaign on Tuesday 20 January 2026, to warn of the damaging effects on society of recommendation algorithms and strengthen our argument for increased transparency and regulation by platforms.

The influence of platforms' and social media's recommendation algorithms on liberal democracies is increasingly palpable. By selecting, prioritizing and amplifying certain content, these systems direct attention, organize access to information and help form opinions. They can encourage repeated exposure to the same points of view, increase polarization and create information bubbles that reduce the diversity of sources and perspectives.

These mechanisms have tangible effects on the public debate, elections and the youngest children's mental health. One in two Europeans believe that the misuse of personal data has a negative impact on daily life. The line between the digital sphere and the physical sphere has never been thinner, while algorithms have never been so opaque.

Moreover, certain foreign-interference actors possess advanced expertise to exploit these mechanisms: they know how to play with engagement signals (likes, shares, comments, viewing time), push divisive content and artificially amplify narratives in order to influence the visibility and circulation of messages. This ability to take advantage of algorithmic logics increases the need for collective vigilance and comprehension tools accessible to everyone.
Despite the adoption of dedicated legislation, such as the Digital Services Act (DSA), algorithms remain veritable "black boxes". The ability of European democracies to regulate online platforms is a major test of sovereignty for the European Union.

France is fully involved in implementing the DSA and, in coordination with the European Commission and the French national regulator ARCOM, is ensuring its effectiveness. Through the campaign, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs would like to raise awareness among the French and European public about the consequences of recommendation algorithms on our societies and reiterate France's determination to enforce the DSA.

The campaign, which is both public and institutional, will mobilize French institutional actors both in France and throughout the diplomatic network.