January 13, 2021
For four years, Twitter and Facebook have served as bullhorns for President Trump. Over the weekend, the companies' decision to "de-platform" the US President sparked a contentious global conversation about the role of tech giants in monitoring (or censoring) free speech online. The moves also revived debate in the US, Europe, and elsewhere about the extent to which tech companies should be subject to government regulations that would curb their ability to control markets, data, and speech. But five of the ten largest social firms aren't in countries where that debate is occurring: in China, social media companies already operate hand-in-glove with the government, and there is little prospect of that changing. Here's a look at the biggest social media companies in the world, and where they are based.
From Your Site Articles
- Will tech giants be taxed for worldwide profits with a global tax rate? - GZERO Media ›
- Is Donald Trump returning to social media? - GZERO Media ›
- GOP battle with Big Tech reaches the Supreme Court - GZERO Media ›
- How GDPR protects your social media data (even if you accept all cookies) - GZERO Media ›
More For You
Trump’s midterm play, Iran’s ticking clock, Ukraine’s edge, and more: Your questions, answered
Jul 22, 2026
Ian Bremmer answers questions straight from you, GZERO readers, on whatever has been on your mind.
Most Popular
What's Good Wednesdays
What’s Good Wednesday: July 22, 2026
Sponsored posts
Invested in America's past, present, and future
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the Resolute Desk before signing an executive order on vehicle repairs in the Oval Office at the White House on June 29, 2026 in Washington, D.C.
Samuel Corum/Sipa USA
What, exactly, is the Trump administration thinking? A well-worn question finds fresh fodder this week as the White House prepares to impose a sweeping new set of tariffs on Brazil. Again.
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega speaks to supporters during the opening ceremony of a highway overpass in Managua, Nicaragua March 21, 2019.
REUTERS/Oswaldo Rivas
“There will never be elections here again,” Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega proclaimed on Sunday.
- YouTube
In this “ask ian,” Ian Bremmer argues that the debate over whether the United States or China will lead artificial intelligence is overshadowing a more important question: who will govern a technology advancing faster than governments can regulate?
© 2025 GZERO Media. All Rights Reserved | A Eurasia Group media company.
