The European Union is working to massively expand online censorship

The European Union is working to massively expand online censorship, strictly regulate speech during times of "crisis" and restrict online anonymity through digital passports.

The Digital Services Act (DSA) -- the second part of a massive project to regulate tech companies -- aims to ensure tougher consequences for platforms and websites that host a long list of banned content ranging from hate speech to disinformation and child sexual abuse images.

"What is illegal offline is also illegal online.
Now it’s a real thing – not a slogan anymore.

This is what we have achieved : an agreement on the #DigitalServicesAct that is even better than the proposal we tabled two years ago."

EVP @vestagerpic.twitter.com/COZHv1DjJV

— European Commission □□ (@EU_Commission) April 23, 2022

Hers the act

[link to ec.europa.eu (secure)]

‘Looking over the outline of the new agreement it's striking how they seamlessly conflate child sexual abuse material with "illegal hate speech." Both are jumbled together as "illegal content." The law calls for plans to restrict free speech on the internet during times of "crisis."

Hillary Clinton is in favour…

For too long, tech platforms have amplified disinformation and extremism with no accountability. The EU is poised to do something about it.

I urge our transatlantic allies to push the Digital Services Act across the finish line and bolster global democracy before it's too late.

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) April 21, 2022

​Obama like the idea too!

Incredible moment from today: @BarackObama touts the EU's Digital Services Act #DSA as a way to "regulate the abuses that are seen in Big Tech companies."

And he calls on the US to "find our voice in the global conversation." pic.twitter.com/0HZ9mHHFDz

— Accountable Tech (@accountabletech) April 21, 2022