Denmark Debates Ban on Anonymous Social Media Profiles

A major cross-party proposal in the Danish parliament is set for its first major public hearing and media debate on Monday. The debate will cover digital rights, online harassment, and free speech. The proposal from the Social Democrats, the Moderates, and the Danish People's Party aims to mandate real-name verification for users on major social media platforms in Denmark. The draft law will be debated in the Folketinget's Culture Committee on Monday, April 20. It is cited as a measure to combat online hate and disinformation. The law would require platforms like Facebook, X, and TikTok to verify users' identities against Denmark's CPR register, the central personal registry. Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard has expressed conditional support for the proposal, citing specific concerns over what he called "digital mobbing." Digital rights organization IT-Politisk Forening has strongly criticized the plan, calling the proposal a severe infringement on anonymity and freedom of expression online. Tech industry representatives from Dansk IT, the interest organization for Denmark's IT industry, are scheduled to testify at the hearing. The debate marks a moment in Denmark's ongoing discussion about regulating the digital space.