During a recent visit to the United Kingdom, U.S. Vice President JD Vance cautioned Foreign Secretary David Lammy against pursuing policies that could limit free speech. Vance described such actions as a “very dark path.” His comments came shortly before the U.S. State Department released its latest human rights report, which highlighted serious restrictions on freedom of expression in several European nations, including France, Germany, and the U.K. The report also noted a rise in antisemitic violence.

The U.S. has a long-standing commitment to protecting free speech, making the focus on Europe’s restrictive laws noteworthy. This scrutiny arises from concerns that European regulations could impact American technology companies and, by extension, the rights of American citizens. In his discussions with Lammy, Vance maintained a measured tone but expressed concern about the West's increasing comfort with censorship. He stated that both the current and previous U.S. administrations have been “a little too comfortable with censoring rather than engaging with a diverse array of opinions.”

Earlier this year, Vance was more direct, acknowledging that while the U.K. can govern its own affairs, restrictions on free speech have implications for American tech firms. His remarks drew criticism from U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer. However, Vance is not alone in his concerns. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) has been vocal about the U.K.'s approach to censorship, advocating for “more speech” as an alternative to restrictive measures.

FIRE Senior Scholar Sarah McLaughlin remarked that “restrictions on speech — including online speech — in countries like the United Kingdom and Germany in recent years have been alarming.” Jacob Mchangama, head of The Future of Free Speech think tank, noted that free speech in Europe has been declining for years without significant public outcry. He described the situation as a “state of delusional ‘Censorship Denial.’” Similarly, Yascha Mounk, a professor at Johns Hopkins University, criticized Germany’s restrictive speech laws, stating they have become increasingly severe.

Vance's comments underscore the potential impact of European censorship on American companies and citizens. European nations have been criticized for their regulatory approaches, which some argue hinder innovation and entrepreneurship. The European Commission has acknowledged this issue, pledging to simplify regulations and foster a more supportive environment for startups.

A recent report from the Swiss company Proton highlighted Europe’s reliance on American technology, revealing that three-quarters of publicly listed European companies depend on U.S.-based tech firms. This dependency raises concerns about how European censorship laws affect American platforms like Facebook and X. Last year, former EU Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton threatened legal action against Elon Musk if X allowed access to content deemed objectionable in Europe.

This phenomenon, often referred to as the “Brussels Effect,” illustrates how European regulations can have global repercussions. Many companies prefer to adopt the more restrictive European standards for content moderation to avoid penalties, which can lead to a chilling effect on free speech worldwide. FIRE has warned that censorship laws in other countries could influence what U.S. readers see, as tech platforms may default to the most restrictive regulations.

Despite these concerns, the U.S. government has faced its own challenges regarding free speech. The Biden administration has been criticized for pressuring social media companies to limit criticism of its policies, while FIRE has opposed actions taken by the Trump administration to suppress media criticism. The organization is currently suing the administration for penalizing noncitizens for their public comments.

As global censorship trends continue to evolve, U.S. officials are increasingly aware of the potential threats to free speech. They argue that advocating for greater freedom of expression is essential to protect the rights of Americans and uphold democratic values.