Marketplace Tech U.S. officials pressure EU regulators to soften tech regulations
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Aug 28, 2025 Cristiano Lima-Strong, Associate Editor at Tech Policy Press, delves into the high-stakes tug-of-war between U.S. officials and EU tech regulations. He discusses how President Trump’s trade pressures loom over the Digital Services Act and its implications for speech and content moderation. The conversation highlights fears of U.S. censorship impacting free speech, alongside the heavy fines for tech firms ignoring new laws. Lima-Strong sheds light on diplomatic maneuvers and the balancing act of ensuring online safety while navigating international pressures.
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U.S. Frames EU Rules As Political Threat
- The Trump administration argues EU rules like the Digital Services Act force platforms to crack down on political speech and disinformation.
- Enforcement is early in the EU, with investigations but no major fines yet, so outcomes remain uncertain.
DSA Targets Clear Harms, Not Defined Disinformation
- The Digital Services Act targets illegal content like terrorist and child abuse material and sets compliance frameworks for platforms.
- Its disinformation elements are less defined and focus on risk assessments rather than strict content definitions.
Political And Economic Fears Fuel U.S. Pushback
- Republicans warn EU rules could lead platforms to export stricter moderation globally and harm U.S. tech competitiveness.
- The argument mixes free-speech concerns with protectionist economic claims about U.S. tech jobs and revenue.