No, Europe doesn't want to destroy American free speech

As a recent Wall Street Journal article demonstrates, many people in the United States think Europe’s online content rules amount to censorship that could affect them back in the US. But the Digital Services Act doesn’t do that – and the Trump administration’s efforts to force Europe’s hand are less about free speech than about promoting a far right agenda.

Tech Gets Real is a show about staying in control in a time of rapid technological change. I'm veteran tech journalist David Meyer, and I've been covering topics like online privacy and freedom for two decades. If you like this, please hit like and subscribe, and share it with others who might find it useful.

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REFERENCES:

The WSJ article in question: https://www.wsj.com/opinion/the-european-threat-to-your-free-speech-93f2f7c7

MIT Technology Review on the US entry bans: https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/01/19/1131384/what-its-like-to-be-banned-from-the-us-for-fighting-online-hate/

Business Insider on JD Vance’s NATO threat: https://www.businessinsider.com/jd-vance-nato-support-eu-regulation-x-musk-free-speech-2024-9

Politico on Donald Trump’s DSA tariff threat: https://www.politico.eu/article/us-question-report-sanction-eu-officials-dsa-donald-trump/