US Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered American diplomats in Europe to launch an offensive against EU DSA digital law. In a paper of 4 August, Washington accuses the European Union of imposing "unwarranted" restrictions on freedom of expression. American diplomats are to search to amend or repeal DSA rules in talks with EU governments.
According to a note addressed to US diplomatic missions in Europe, diplomats were given the task of convincing EU governments, regulators, business representatives and social organisations to support changes in the DSA. The paper contains a set of arguments and circumstantial suggestions for modifying EU law.
DSA is an EU regulation requiring online platforms to effectively defend users from illegal content on the network. The rules include combating hatred speech, disinformation and, in the case of minors, pornographic materials.
Criticism of the definition of illegal content
The Rubio Directive focuses on the definition of "illegal content" contained in the DSA, which it sees as besides broad. Washington wants this definition narrowed down so that it does not restrict freedom of expression, especially in a political and spiritual context.
President Trump's environment has long criticised EU digital regulations, seeing them as attempts to suppress conservative voices online. At the end of July, the U.S. home of Representatives' Judicial Committee published a study on alleged censorship, stating that the DSA "violates American freedom of speech".
Polish case in US report
The study cited a case from Poland, where in November 2024 the National investigation Institute (NASK) at the Ministry of Digital Affairs was to ask TikTok to delete the entry. The post suggested that "electric cars are neither ecological nor economic".
The Secretary of State called on embassy personnel to collect censorship cases involving US citizens or US companies. Monitoring of arrests, court cases, confiscation of property or suspension of online accounts has been ordered.
Brussels’ firm response
The European Union firmly rejects Washington's allegations of breaking freedom of expression, calling it unfounded. "Freedom of the word is the foundation of the Union. The claims about DSA censorship are completely unfounded" - said European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier during a press briefing in Brussels.
The European Commission is presently in proceedings against 10 digital platforms, including American Instagram portals, Snapchat and X.
(PAP) Note: This article was edited with Artificial Intelligence.
