The European Commission is ramping up efforts to rein in tech giants like X and Meta, which it views as threats to democracy. Executive Vice President Henna Virkkunen announced plans to expand fact-checking and tighten anti-hate speech measures under the Digital Services Act (DSA) during a parliamentary debate in Strasbourg on January 21.
Virkkunen promised to double the Commission’s DSA enforcement staff to 200 by 2025 while working closely with local coordinators in member states facing elections. She also outlined plans to integrate voluntary anti-hate speech frameworks into the DSA, making them legally binding. “The DSA does not censor content,” she said, before adding that it provides mechanisms to remove content deemed illegal by EU or national laws.
Additionally, the Commission is developing the European Democracy Shield (EDS), a framework designed to counter disinformation, bolster fact-checkers, and address domestic and foreign threats to democracy. Virkkunen cited concerns over alleged biases in social media algorithms and Russia’s suspected TikTok campaigns, though evidence remains scarce or contradictory.
Leftist MEPs Demand More Aggressive Censorship
Despite Virkkunen’s pledges, leftist Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) pressed for even stricter controls. Socialist leader Iratxe García Pérez criticized platforms like X and Facebook for amplifying “hate” and “manipulation” while accusing Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg of aiding anti-globalist movements. Pérez insisted on dismantling non-compliant social media companies altogether.
The Greens, represented by Alexandra Geese, called for urgent investigations into social media algorithms, temporary bans on recommendation features, and support for alternatives like Bluesky and Mastodon. Geese claimed the EU has the unique authority to craft laws and prove their breach, emphasizing the bloc’s power to enforce its vision.
When anti-globalist MEP Milan Uhrík tried to counter these views by pointing out U.S. censorship scandals, leftist MEPs booed him off the stage. His mic was cut by EP President Roberta Metsola after Uhrík asked the assembly to “shut up” so he could finish, earning applause from the left.
Right-Wing MEPs Push Back Against Censorship
On the other side, conservative and nationalist MEPs slammed the EU’s approach as authoritarian. Virginie Joron of the Patriots for Europe (PfE) derided the DSA as a “Digital Surveillance Act” aimed at suppressing dissent. She accused the EU of being a “rotting continent” unable to handle free speech.
Nicola Procaccini of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) said the DSA could be useful if applied fairly but criticized the left for its obsession with controlling narratives. Meanwhile, Christine Anderson of the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) argued that leftists fear losing power as free speech gains ground, describing the EU’s censorship efforts as proof of their desperation.
Hungarian MEP Csaba Dömötör highlighted Facebook’s admitted censorship under U.S. government pressure. He noted that most fact-checking organizations are tied to Democrat-linked groups in the U.S. and accused the EU of ignoring this blatant interference. “They’re not just censoring politicians; they’re silencing voters,” he declared, pointing to millions of Europeans frustrated by unchecked immigration and ideological excesses.
The Battle Over Free Speech
As debates over the DSA and free speech continue, the divide between Brussels and anti-globalist voices grows wider. While the EU insists its measures are essential for protecting democracy, critics argue they undermine the very freedoms they claim to safeguard. With tensions rising, this clash over digital regulation shows no sign of cooling off anytime soon.
