FCC Chair Brendan Carr promises to advocate for U.S. tech companies against what he calls excessive European regulations, particularly the Digital Services Act. He argues that these rules threaten free speech principles and allow for censorship. The U.S. has previously voiced concerns over European tech regulations, and tensions have escalated regarding compliance costs and potential tariffs. Meanwhile, the EU aims for improved tech competitiveness and plans to revise its regulatory framework.
Brendan Carr, Chairman of the FCC, stated at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona that the U.S. will actively defend its technology companies against what he described as excessive European regulations. He emphasized the need for a fair competitive landscape, asserting that the European Union’s recent tech regulations, particularly the Digital Services Act (DSA), are viewed by U.S. firms as incompatible with American values regarding free speech.
Carr reflected on the importance of protecting free speech, citing a perceived erosion of this right during the COVID-19 pandemic. He remarked, “We’re returning to our first amendment roots, where we’re returning to our free speech tradition,” indicating a shift in focus to prevent censorship that has intensified in recent years. He raised concerns specifically regarding the DSA’s potential impact on free speech, suggesting that the regulations might impose unwarranted restrictions.
This is not the first incident of tension between the U.S. and Europe regarding tech regulations. During a recent AI summit in Paris, U.S. Vice President JD Vance criticized European regulations for creating burdensome compliance issues. Following this, former President Trump proposed tariffs on Europe, labeling the digital services taxes and fines as “overseas extortion.”
In reaction to Trump’s tariffs, the EU has indicated plans to utilize a new instrument aimed at countering economic coercion. Carr expressed concern about the repercussions for both European citizens and American tech firms operating in Europe, highlighting the incompatibility of DSA’s potential censorship with America’s free speech values.
Henna Virkkunen, the European Commission’s executive vice-president for technological sovereignty, did not specifically respond to Carr but conveyed Europe’s commitment to enhancing its competitiveness in technology. She mentioned plans to propose several packages for revising tech regulations later this year and emphasized the goal of establishing a digital single market across the EU.
This discussion aligns with a broader report by former European Central Bank president Mario Draghi, advocating for comprehensive reforms to improve technological competitiveness and productivity relative to the U.S. and China.
Original Source: www.cnbc.com
