In a shocking turn of events, Thierry Breton, the European Union's chief digital enforcer, has abruptly resigned, exposing deep rifts within the EU's leadership and shedding light on a vast, coordinated effort to control online speech across international borders.

Quick Summary: 

• EU Digital Chief Thierry Breton's sudden resignation exposes internal conflicts and questionable governance within the European Commission, particularly regarding content moderation and free speech policies.
• Breton's unilateral warning to Elon Musk about the Trump interview on X (formerly Twitter) highlights the overreach of international censorship efforts and tensions between government regulation and platform autonomy.
• Newly revealed documents expose extensive collaboration between US and UK governments in developing censorship strategies, including the creation of centralized censorship hubs and legislative frameworks for online control.
• This global censorship regime, involving multiple countries and international organizations, raises serious concerns about the erosion of national sovereignty, the chilling of dissent, and the manipulation of public opinion on a worldwide scale.

The sudden departure of Thierry Breton, the European Commissioner for Internal Market, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing global debate over free speech and government censorship. As details emerge about the circumstances surrounding his resignation, a disturbing picture is forming of an international web of collaboration aimed at suppressing dissent and controlling the flow of information. This article delves into the implications of Breton's exit, the revelations of US-UK censorship collusion, and the broader consequences for free speech worldwide.

The Fall of Europe's Censorship Czar

Breton's resignation came as a surprise to many, given his prominent role in shaping the EU's digital policy. According to Reclaim the Net:

"Thierry Breton, the European Commissioner For Internal Market from France, has abruptly resigned, voicing his disapproval of the EU executive's 'questionable governance' under Ursula von der Leyen. His resignation announced via a post on X, marks a dramatic exit reflective of his tumultuous tenure as Europe's chief censorship advocate."¹

This sudden departure followed a series of unilateral actions by Breton that put him at odds with other EU commissioners, most notably his controversial letter to Elon Musk regarding content moderation on X (formerly Twitter).

The Trump Interview Controversy

One of the most glaring examples of Breton's overreach came just before his resignation. As Reclaim the Net reports:

"Recently, Breton independently sent a contentious letter to Elon Musk, owner of the social media platform X, threatening consequences if the platform allowed content that could 'seriously harm' EU citizens. This letter, sent just hours before Musk's scheduled interview with US presidential candidate Donald Trump, was reportedly issued without the coordination or agreement of von der Leyen or other commissioners."¹

This incident highlights the growing tension between national sovereignty, free speech, and the expanding reach of international censorship efforts.

Unveiling the US-UK Censorship Collaboration

While Breton's resignation has captured headlines, it's merely the tip of the iceberg. Recent documents obtained by America First Legal (AFL) through litigation against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have exposed a disturbing level of collaboration between the US and UK governments in developing censorship strategies.

According to AFL's report:

"As a part of the NSC's regular interagency meetings on censoring COVID-related speech in the United States, the White House hosted the Counter Disinformation Unit (CDU) from the U.K. government in 2021 to learn about their most effective censorship techniques."²

This revelation suggests a coordinated international effort to control public discourse, particularly around sensitive topics like health and elections.

Key Components of the Global Censorship Regime

1. Centralized Censorship Hubs

Both the UK and US have established centralized units to coordinate censorship efforts across government agencies. The UK's Counter Disinformation Unit (CDU) serves as a model for this approach, with the US adopting similar structures:

"The Counter Disinformation Unit (CDU) is a British 'cross-departmental' body that coordinates censorship programs across the whole of the British government. They 'support formulation of a coordinated Government response' to the 'threat' of misinformation (anything the government deems false)."²

2. Legislative Frameworks for Online Control

The UK's Online Safety Act, which came into force in October 2023, provides a blueprint for other nations seeking to exert control over online speech. As AFL notes:

"The U.K. Online Safety Act came into force in October of 2023 and is the basis under which U.K. law enforcement officials have threatened to extradite and jail U.S. citizens."²

This legislation, coupled with similar proposals in the US and EU, creates a legal framework for government intervention in online discourse.

3. Public-Private Partnerships for Content Moderation

Both US and UK governments have established "trusted flagging relationships" with social media platforms, allowing for direct government influence over content moderation:

"The CDU also relies heavily on 'trusted flagging relationships.' Effectively, this means when the government directs social media companies to censor specific posts and individuals."²

4. International Coordination and Pressure

The documents reveal a concerted effort to leverage diplomatic channels and international organizations to create a unified front for censorship:

"The U.K. Foreign Office and the U.S. Department of State appear to play important similar roles in this international government censorship partnership. By coordinating across left-wing authoritarian governments, they can manipulate the global population into believing that there is no alternative to massive government censorship of social media."²

This coordination extends to multilateral institutions such as the G7, NATO, and the United Nations.

5. Promotion of Specific Ideological Narratives

Beyond mere censorship, these efforts also aim to promote certain ideological viewpoints:

"According to their 'Theory of Change,' one of the outcomes of this scheme was that the targeted populations would 'reduce identification with pre-existing social biases' and increase 'support for gender equality' and 'liberal democratic values.'"²

The Global Impact on Free Speech

The implications of this global censorship regime are far-reaching and deeply concerning for advocates of free speech and democratic values. The collaboration between governments, tech companies, and international organizations creates a powerful apparatus for controlling public discourse on a scale never before seen in history.

1. Erosion of National Sovereignty: The extraterritorial reach of laws like the UK's Online Safety Act threatens to undermine national protections for free speech, such as the First Amendment in the United States.

2. Chilling Effect on Dissent: The threat of deplatforming, legal action, or even extradition for online speech creates a chilling effect on public discourse, particularly around controversial topics.

3. Manipulation of Public Opinion: By controlling the flow of information and promoting specific narratives, governments can shape public opinion on a global scale, potentially undermining democratic processes.

4. Technological Enforcement: The use of AI and machine learning for content moderation raises concerns about algorithmic bias and the potential for automated suppression of legitimate speech.

5. Lack of Accountability: The complex web of international agreements and public-private partnerships makes it difficult to hold any single entity accountable for censorship decisions.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead

The resignation of Thierry Breton, while significant, is just one small part of a much larger and more complex story. The revelations of US-UK collaboration on censorship strategies, coupled with the growing international framework for controlling online speech, present a grave threat to free expression and democratic values worldwide.

As Gene Hamilton, America First Legal Executive Director, states:

"The Biden-Harris Administration's desire to silence speech and control what information Americans are able to obtain is so extreme, so pervasive, and so over-the-top that they are willing to listen to foreign governments explain ways to better violate core constitutional rights of the American people."²

Moving forward, it is crucial for citizens, policymakers, and tech leaders to remain vigilant and actively work to protect the principles of free speech in the digital age. This may require a reevaluation of international agreements, stronger protections for online privacy and expression, and a renewed commitment to transparency in content moderation practices.

The battle for free speech in the 21st century is not confined to any one nation or platform. It is a global struggle that will shape the future of democracy and human rights for generations to come.

Learn more by reading our latest report on these topics: Breaking: International Governments Are Criminalizing Free Speech Through Global Coordination; New Files Expose Plot

Watch our recent livestream replay on the topic here.

References

1: Harper, Cindy. "EU's Overreaching Censorship Champion Thierry Breton Quits." Reclaim The Net, September 16, 2024. https://reclaimthenet.org/eus-overreaching-censorship-champion-thierry-breton-quits

2: America First Legal. "EXCLUSIVE - America First Legal Obtains New Internal CDC Documents Revealing Foreign Collusion in Biden-Harris Government Censorship Regime." America First Legal, September 13, 2024. https://www.aflegal.org/news/exclusive-america-first-legal-obtains-new-internal-cdc-documents-revealing-foreign-collusion-in-biden-harris-government-censorship-regime