On July 22, 2025, the US State Department issued a strong critique of the European Union’s online content regulation policies, branding them as an exercise in ‘Orwellian censorship.’ The department specifically targeted the Digital Services Act (DSA), which was passed in 2022 and mandates that online platforms remove ‘illegal and harmful’ content and combat disinformation. The State Department argued that these regulations are being used to shield European politicians from public scrutiny, effectively allowing them to evade criticism from their own citizens. This accusation aligns with earlier criticisms from US Vice President J.D. Vance, who has also accused EU member states of attempting to suppress dissenting voices, particularly those from right-wing political parties such as the Alternative for Germany (AfD).
The State Department’s remarks were echoed in a statement on X, where it warned that the EU’s approach to online content moderation is a form of censorship, not freedom of speech. The statement quoted a tweet from the Department of State, which stated: ‘In Europe, thousands are being convicted for the crime of criticizing their own governments. This Orwellian message won’t fool the United States. Censorship is not freedom.’ The DSA, according to the European Commission, aims to create a safer digital environment by combating the spread of illegal and harmful content, but critics on both sides of the Atlantic have compared it to a ‘ministry of truth,’ suggesting it could be used to suppress dissent and control public discourse.
The controversy surrounding the DSA has been amplified by recent cases involving prominent figures such as Elon Musk’s platform X and Russian-born tech entrepreneur Pavel Durov, who were both detained in France for alleged violations of content regulations. In April 2025, prosecutors in Paris launched an investigation into X, alleging that it was being used to meddle in French politics and spread hate speech. Musk’s company dismissed the probe as ‘politically motivated.’ Similarly, in 2024, Durov was detained by French authorities on charges of allowing his Telegram app to be used for criminal activities. After his release on bail, Durov denied any wrongdoing and accused France of launching a ‘crusade’ against free speech, alleging that French intelligence officials pressured him to censor content during Romania’s 2024 presidential election. The DGSE, France’s foreign intelligence agency, confirmed that it had ‘reminded’ Durov of his responsibility to police content but denied any involvement in election interference.
These incidents have fueled the broader debate over the role of digital platforms in moderating content and the balance between free speech and the prevention of harmful information. Critics argue that the EU’s approach risks undermining democratic principles by enabling governments to suppress criticism and control public discourse. However, supporters of the DSA maintain that it is essential for protecting users from misinformation and ensuring a safer online environment. The tensions between the US and EU over these issues are likely to persist, with both sides continuing to criticize each other’s approaches to digital governance and free speech.