A recent conference in Brussels, co-hosted by ADF International and European Parliament members, focused on the implications of the Digital Services Act (DSA), which has been criticized as a potential tool for government censorship. Experts expressed concerns that the DSA, effective from February 2024, could enable authorities to suppress content deemed “illegal,” particularly targeting expressions of Christian beliefs and other viewpoints that may not align with governmental perspectives.

Speakers, including French parliamentarian Virginie Joron, argued that the DSA is evolving into a “Digital Surveillance Act,” allowing for increased political control over online speech. They highlighted the case of Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen, who faced prosecution for expressing her views on Biblical sexuality, as a cautionary example of how the DSA could facilitate similar actions across the EU, potentially broadening the application of restrictive national laws.

Paul Coleman of ADF International urged EU member states to challenge the DSA in court, citing concerns about its compatibility with established human rights obligations. He emphasized the need for a thorough review of the DSA by November 2025, advocating for the inclusion of diverse voices in discussions about the law’s impact on free speech and urging greater public awareness of its potential risks.