The European Union’s 2023 Digital Services Act (DSA) aims to curb disinformation and online extremism by regulating major digital platforms like Google and Facebook. However, the law’s initial application highlights the challenges of balancing free speech with regulatory oversight. For example, Telegram’s founder was arrested under national laws, as the platform did not meet the DSA’s threshold for Very Large Online Platforms.
Governments are increasingly enforcing stringent digital regulations to manage online content, reflecting a shift from the previously lenient framework established by the e-Commerce Directive and Section 230. The DSA represents a significant move toward more rigorous oversight of digital platforms, raising questions about its implementation and impact on free expression.
