Faith
EU Digital Law Sparks Global Free Speech Fears
Faith Facts
- The Digital Services Act (DSA) may threaten free speech worldwide, Christians warn.
- Alliance Defending Freedom’s Lorcán Price testified in the US Congress about its global implications.
- Concerns include tech companies enforcing censorship beyond Europe to comply with the DSA.
The DSA could pressure American tech companies to limit speech globally, according to legal experts defending freedom of expression. Such measures risk undermining Biblical values regarding truth and the importance of a free, open dialogue.
Lorcán Price testified that the legislation is not meant to protect people, but to control which voices are heard, suppressing honest debate and dissent as valued in Christian and American traditions.
“What is happening in Europe is as Vice President Vance said in Munich, a ‘serious retreat from a fundamental value’ – free speech,” said Price.
He explained this kind of censorship stems from authorities wanting to silence criticism and maintain control, which runs contrary to religious teachings on the dignity and liberty of every individual before God.
Reform UK’s Nigel Farage described real-world consequences in Britain, highlighting the recent arrest of a writer for online posts, as a warning to Americans about the dangers of losing their freedoms.
“This could happen to any American. You will be doing us a favour if you said to the UK Government, ‘you simply got this wrong, at what point did you become North Korea,'” said Farage.
Standing up for free expression is essential to preserving the Christian principles of truth and liberty. Faith communities are called to pray for leaders to uphold these timeless values and to remain vigilant in defense of freedom.