EU regulation of big tech: Is free speech at risk?

"The bird is freed," tech billionaire Elon Musk wrote upon acquiring Twitter in October of last year. EU Commissioner Thierry Breton shot back: "In Europe, the bird will fly by our rules." That early exchange exposed two starkly different views of social media: a haven of free speech, as Musk would have it; or a place where freedom goes hand in hand with protecting users from illegal content – the EU's approach.

The European Digital Services Act, or DSA – a content moderation law, in effect – has already come into force. But it will be phased in gradually this year. Twitter has been told it has "huge work ahead" to meet its obligations under the new Act.

In this debate we're joined by two MEPs to discuss the limits of both free speech and regulation.

Produced by Sophie Samaille, Perrine Desplats and Isabelle Romero

The action was co-financed by the European Union in the frame of the European Parliament's grant programme in the field of communication. The European Parliament was not involved in its preparation and is, in no case, responsible for or bound by the information or opinions expressed in the context of this action. In accordance with applicable law, the authors, interviewed people, publishers or programme broadcasters are solely responsible. The European Parliament can also not be held liable for direct or indirect damage that may result from the implementation of the action.


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