Why freedom of speech in the EU is not equivalent to the freedom of online platforms to be irresponsible and unaccountable
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60054/PEU.2025.12.186-209Keywords:
Digital Regulation, Digital Services Act (DSA), Freedom of Speech, Content Moderation, Fact-Checking, EU, US, Digital Sovereignt, VLOPsAbstract
In 2025, the European Union (EU) faced increasing criticism concerning its approach to freedom of speech in the digital environment. This paper argues that such criticism is less about the EU undermining free expression and more about resistance to the Union’s attempts to regulate online intermediary service providers, including major technology platforms categorised as Very large online platforms (VLOPs) and Very large online search engines (VLOSEs) under Digital Services Act (DSA). From a political science perspective, the controversy reflects a broader struggle over digital sovereignty, regulatory power, and the reconfiguration of responsibility in the online public sphere.
The EU’s regulatory initiatives -- most notably the DSA, Digital Markets Act (DMA), the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act), and the European Democracy Shield -- signal a shift towards holding digital platforms more accountable as actors with public responsibilities. This study situates the debate within the framework of democratic governance, exploring the interests and narratives of key stakeholders, including Big Tech, who often frame regulatory oversight as a threat to freedom of expression while avoiding obligations to democratic norms. The analysis contributes to understanding the political dynamics shaping digital regulation and the evolving boundaries of free speech online in the EU’s normative order in comparison to United States (US).
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