In a sharp critique of European digital regulations, US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr condemned the European Union’s (EU) Digital Services Act (DSA) as a potential threat to free speech, arguing that the law is fundamentally at odds with American democratic principles.
Speaking at the Mobile World Congress this week, Carr described the DSA as “incompatible with America’s free speech tradition,” potentially escalating tensions between US tech policy makers and European regulators, news agency Reuters reported.
“There is some concern that I have with respect to the approach that Europe is taking with the DSA (EU Digital Services Act) in particular,” said the Republican commissioner appointed by US President Donald Trump.
“If there is an urge in Europe to engage in protectionist regulations, to give disparate treatment to US technology companies, the Trump administration has been clear that we are going to speak up and defend the interests of US businesses,” Carr stated.

JD Vance also criticised EU tech rules

Carr’s comments follow similar criticisms by other US officials, including Vice President JD Vance, who previously denounced European content moderation efforts as “authoritarian censorship” during an AI summit in Paris.
The DSA, which became effective last year, aims to create a safer online environment by requiring tech giants to more aggressively tackle illegal content, including hate speech and child sexual abuse material.

What European officials have to say

However, European officials strongly rejected Carr’s accusations.
“The aim of our digital legislation, for example the DSA, is the protection of fundamental rights,” spokesperson Thomas Regnier said.
“We all agree on the need to ensure that the internet is a safe place, as VP Vance put it at the AI Action Summit in Paris,” Regnier added.
Carr has requested briefings from major tech companies like Apple, Meta, and Alphabet about how they plan to reconcile the DSA with American free speech principles.