Macron calls free speech ‘pure bulls***’ while blasting tech company executives

Published February 19, 2026 2:21am ET



French President Emmanuel Macron blasted tech company executives of social media platforms over refusals to limit or restrict speech. While speaking before a crowd in New Delhi, India, on Wednesday, Macron said the excuse used by tech executives citing free speech as the basis for the refusal to limit speech was “pure bulls***.”

“Some of them claim to be in favor of free speech. We are in favor of free algorithms, totally transparent,” said Macron. “Free speech is pure bulls*** if nobody knows how you are guided to this so-called free speech, especially when it is guided from one hate speech to another.”

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