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U.S. Orders Diplomatic Lobbying Against EU’s Digital Services Act Over Free Speech Concerns

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The Trump administration has directed U.S. diplomats in Europe to launch a lobbying campaign opposing the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), citing concerns that the law imposes excessive restrictions on free speech and creates burdensome costs for U.S. tech companies.

An internal State Department cable dated August 4, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, instructs American diplomats to actively engage with EU governments and digital regulators to build support for repealing or amending the DSA and related legislation. The memo labels parts of the law as “undue” limits on expression under the guise of combating hate speech and misinformation.

The DSA is designed to hold tech companies accountable for illegal content online, such as hate speech and child sexual abuse material. However, the Trump administration views it as an infringement on free speech, especially political and religious expression, and has criticized the EU for what it sees as censorship targeting conservative voices.

Rubio’s directive includes specific talking points urging diplomats to push for narrowing the definition of illegal content, scaling back fines for non-compliance, and reducing reliance on “trusted flaggers” — entities authorized to report illegal content to platforms. It also calls for investigations into censorship cases affecting U.S. citizens and companies, including arrests and online suspensions linked to the DSA.

The European Commission rejects censorship accusations, emphasizing freedom of expression as a fundamental right. It maintains that the DSA aims to keep digital markets open and is not intended to target U.S. companies. EU officials also assert that the DSA and related tech laws are not part of ongoing trade negotiations with the U.S.

The lobbying effort marks an escalation of U.S. efforts to assert its free speech traditions internationally and intensifies tensions with European allies, with previous criticisms from officials such as Vice President JD Vance accusing Europe of suppressing certain political groups.

U.S. tech giants, including Meta and Tesla, have voiced concerns over the DSA. Meanwhile, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission chairman has criticized the law’s compatibility with American free speech norms. Rubio has even threatened visa bans on foreign officials involved in “censoring” Americans.

Could Eutelsat Replace Starlink for Ukraine’s Satellite Internet Needs?

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As speculation grows about Ukraine potentially losing access to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet, a critical tool for military communications during the ongoing war with Russia, attention has turned to Eutelsat, a European satellite provider, as a potential alternative. The Franco-British company, which recently merged with Britain’s OneWeb, has reportedly been in talks with the European Union to provide additional services to Ukraine. This follows concerns over the U.S. possibly using Starlink access as leverage in diplomatic discussions with Kyiv regarding critical minerals.

Here’s a breakdown of how Eutelsat could step in to support Ukraine’s communication needs.

How Crucial is Starlink to Ukraine?

Starlink’s satellite internet system has become indispensable for Ukraine, especially after its fixed-line and mobile networks were severely damaged by Russian bombings since the invasion began in February 2022. The system allows users to access the internet via a small satellite dish that connects to a constellation of satellites orbiting overhead.

While Starlink’s internet services are also available to civilians, the primary users are Ukraine’s military forces, which rely heavily on Starlink for communication amid constant jamming and interception of signals. The system is vital for battlefield command and control, and Ukraine has also used Starlink to guide attack drones, though SpaceX restricted this use two years ago. Initially funded by SpaceX, the U.S. government later took over the provision of Starlink to Ukraine. Recently, Poland confirmed it had been covering Ukraine’s subscription fees and would continue to do so.

How Does Eutelsat Compare to Starlink?

Eutelsat has already been providing support for government and institutional communications in Ukraine and has stated it can offer alternatives for certain government and defense applications. The company controls a global satellite network after merging with OneWeb in 2023, making it one of the few firms, along with Starlink, to offer global coverage via Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites.

While Eutelsat’s fleet consists of around 630 LEO satellites, compared to Starlink’s more than 7,000, it still offers the same capabilities within Europe, according to the company. Eutelsat provides speeds of up to 150 Mbps, slightly lower than Starlink’s promise of 200 Mbps. However, Eutelsat’s OneWeb terminals are significantly more expensive, with costs up to $10,000 per terminal plus monthly subscriptions. In contrast, Starlink charges Ukrainian users a one-time payment of $589 for the terminal, with monthly fees ranging from $95 to $440, depending on usage.

Despite this, the question remains whether any donor countries or organizations would be willing to fund the high cost of OneWeb subscriptions for Ukraine. France and the UK, which hold a combined 24.8% stake in Eutelsat, are actively involved in diplomatic efforts surrounding a peace deal with the U.S.

Are There Any Other Alternatives?

While global competition for Starlink is growing, it remains limited. Luxembourg-based SES provides satellite services to NATO defense forces through its medium Earth orbit O3b mPOWER constellation, but it focuses primarily on corporate customers and governments. SES’s services are not consumer-friendly and do not cater directly to end-users.

Additionally, some European initiatives like IRIS² and GOVSATCOM, which Ukraine is interested in, may take years before they are fully operational, leaving a gap in immediate satellite communication support for the country.