European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has firmly rejected allegations by the US House Judiciary Committee that the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) censors global internet content and interferes in electoral processes, while pledging to protect officials involved in enforcement from intimidation. The response, prompted by a parliamentary question from MEP Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová (Renew), addresses a US report published on 3 February 2026 that included personal data of EU officials and fact-checkers, raising concerns over privacy and security risks.
Von der Leyen's answer underscores the EU's commitment to enforce the DSA robustly, reiterating the stance previously articulated by Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen on 15 April 2026, when she defended EU digital policy against similar US allegations of censorship. The Commission President highlighted specific legal frameworks—the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Staff Regulation—as mechanisms to protect sensitive business data and personal information of enforcement staff. This follows Virkkunen's detailed response on 17 April 2026, in which she provided concrete staffing and budget figures for DSA implementation, rejecting claims of a 'permanent censorship and surveillance apparatus'.
The Commission's reply refrains from proposing new laws or budget allocations, instead detailing existing support mechanisms for staff exposed due to enforcement duties. This aligns with Virkkunen's earlier clarifications on 16 and 17 April 2026, where she outlined the DSA's existing content moderation approach without introducing new rules or numerical targets. Von der Leyen's statement also echoes the Commission's position that content moderation decisions rest with online platforms, which must provide transparency and offer redress avenues—a point Virkkunen made in response to MEP Miriam Lexmann on 17 April 2026.
The US report, which sparked the parliamentary question, follows a broader transatlantic tension over digital governance. On 15 April 2026, Virkkunen defended EU digital policy against US House Judiciary Committee allegations of internet censorship, emphasizing that the DSA respects free speech and aims at transparency. The current response reinforces that position, prioritizing the maintenance of EU regulatory sovereignty and the speed of DSA implementation over altering existing rules despite external criticism.
Protecting officials from data leaks and potential threats emerges as a critical priority, building on earlier Commission assurances. This comes amid ongoing debates within the EU about balancing enforcement transparency with confidentiality. The Commission's reply signals a firm stance, setting a tone for continued vigorous enforcement of the DSA. Follow-ups will likely focus on improving data protection measures for officials and maintaining transparent yet secure enforcement mechanisms, with the Commission expected to keep EU institutions informed about relevant developments.
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