Rubio Orders U.S. Diplomats to Oppose EU Tech Law, Citing Free Speech Concerns

 

In a confidential diplomatic cable dated August 4, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio directed American diplomats in Europe to launch an aggressive lobbying campaign against the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA). The law, which aims to regulate online platforms by requiring them to remove illegal content, is viewed by Washington as a threat to free speech and a costly burden on U.S. tech companies. Rubio's directive orders diplomats to meet with EU officials, civil society, and affected individuals to argue for amendments or the repeal of the DSA. The cable criticizes the DSA’s broad definitions of illegal content and its use of “trusted flaggers,” claiming they create overly restrictive controls on online speech. It suggests narrowing the definition of illegal content and scrapping frameworks like the Code of Conduct on Disinformation. This policy move is part of Trump’s broader campaign against what he calls censorship of conservative voices, and it aligns with earlier threats from Rubio to impose visa bans on foreign officials accused of stifling American speech online.

European Union officials have firmly rejected U.S. claims that the DSA amounts to censorship. A spokesperson for the European Commission reiterated that freedom of expression is a core value in the EU and called the censorship accusations unfounded. The Commission also clarified that the DSA and its companion law, the Digital Markets Act (DMA), are not part of EU-U.S. trade negotiations and will not be altered to accommodate U.S. pressure. The DSA is intended to hold tech companies accountable for illegal and harmful content, including hate speech and child abuse material. U.S. tech giants like Meta and Tesla have expressed concern, while Elon Musk and other tech CEOs have ties to Trump’s administration. Vice President JD Vance added fuel to the fire earlier this year when he accused the EU of silencing right-wing voices, including Germany’s AfD party, escalating tensions with Europe. The U.S. campaign reflects widening divides over tech governance, speech regulation, and the global role of U.S. companies in the digital space issues that are now becoming major flashpoints in transatlantic relations.

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