Digital Day 2025: Europe and the US at Odds Over Digital Democracy
Digital Minister's Stand: European Values Remain Non-negotiable
Berlin, Germany - In the heated debate concerning European digital regulations, Germany's new Digital Minister, Karsten Wildberger (CDU), has championed a consistent implementation of these rules to maintain democratic digital participation. He reiterated that clear rules are essential to protect European values, stating, "Because they ain't up for grabs, mate!" during the Digital Day 2025. Without a doubt, the federal government will support the European Commission in enforcing the Digital Services Act (DSA).
A Divide on Digital Services Act
The DSA, a European law functioning across the EU since February 17, 2024, outlines how digital services such as social networks, online marketplaces, search engines, or hosting providers must operate in Europe. It mandates platforms to take firmer action against illegal content, including hate speech or misinformation.
However, US Vice President JD Vance has a bone to pick with the DSA. Vance believes the DSA and regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) bring on "an endless stream of compliance costs" for smaller US companies, particularly disliking the content removal measures and disinformation combat provisions within the DSA that he refers to as "authoritarian censorship."
Taking Responsibility for Digital Democracy
Wildberger made it clear at the Digital Day that citizens must take responsibility for avoiding misinformation and hate speech. He asserted, "Democracy in the digital age lives through participation. Each one of us can contribute by navigating social media thoughtfully, questioning sources critically, and actively engaging in discussions. Especially when misinformation and polarization are rampant, it's about taking responsibility for what we share, how we communicate, and how we co-create digital spaces."
The Digital Day is backed by a diverse coalition of over 25 organizations in Germany, spanning civil society, culture, economy, science, and public administration. This year's theme is: "Digital Democracy: Speak Up. Shape the Future. Jump In."
Insights: Germany's Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger, with a background in private-sector digital transformation and strategy, favors a balanced approach to digital regulation that supports innovation while maintaining citizen protection. US Vice President JD Vance, on the other hand, criticizes the DSA and similar regulations for bringing compliance costs, particularly for smaller US companies. Wildberger emphasizes the role of citizens in maintaining digital democracy, advocating responsibility in sharing, discussing, and co-creating digital spaces.
In the light of the ongoing European digital regulations debate, US Vice President JD Vance finds issue with the Digital Services Act (DSA), arguing that it imposes an excessive burden of compliance costs on smaller American companies, particularly due to content removal measures and disinformation combat provisions he deems as "authoritarian censorship." German Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger supports the European Commission in enforcing the DSA, while urging citizens to actively participate in maintaining digital democracy by navigating social media cautiously, questioning sources critically, and taking responsibility for their contributions to digital spaces during the Digital Day 2025. This event is backed by a diverse coalition in Germany, calling for citizens to "Speak Up, Shape the Future, and Jump In" regarding digital policy-and-legislation and politics surrounding general-news.
