A major diplomatic clash is unfolding between Washington and London after U.S. Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers publicly denounced the United Kingdom’s new Online Safety Act, calling it “vastly overreaching” and “a deal breaker for American free speech.”
The Act, now one of the most aggressive internet-regulation laws in the Western world, requires major tech companies—including Meta, Google, Apple, and X—to scan private messages, restrict content deemed “harmful,” and remove material flagged by British regulators. Failure to comply could result in fines reaching 10% of a company’s global revenue, a penalty large enough to cripple even the biggest platforms.
According to Rogers, the legislation crosses a critical boundary: it effectively pressures U.S.-based companies to enforce British-style speech restrictions on American soil.
“It’s not about safety. It’s about control—and it doesn’t stop at your borders,” she declared, warning that the law threatens the constitutional protections of the First Amendment.
🇺🇸🇬🇧 U.S. OFFICIAL BLASTS UK'S ONLINE SAFETY ACT: "A DEAL BREAKER FOR AMERICAN FREE SPEECH"
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) December 4, 2025
U.S. Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers has ignited a diplomatic firestorm, condemning the U.K.'s Online Safety Act as "vastly overreaching" and a form of… pic.twitter.com/XH9wL13Ccy
A Growing International Battle Over Speech Laws
Rogers argues that the danger extends far beyond the United Kingdom. By forcing American companies to comply with foreign censorship standards, the Online Safety Act sets a global precedent that could be replicated by authoritarian governments seeking leverage over U.S. platforms.
“If American tech companies bend to foreign speech laws, every authoritarian government on the planet will demand the same treatment,” she stated.
The EU has already moved in a similar direction with its Digital Services Act (DSA)—a sweeping regulatory framework that expands content-policing obligations across the bloc. Critics in the U.S. fear the UK’s new law goes even further, normalizing intrusive surveillance and cross-border censorship under the banner of child protection.
The Trump Administration Responds
In response to the UK legislation, senior officials in the Trump administration have signaled that the U.S. will not allow American companies to be used as enforcement tools for foreign governments.
“American companies will not be weaponized to enforce foreign censorship regimes,” a senior official said.
The administration is reportedly preparing diplomatic pushback and potential legal protections for U.S. platforms operating globally.
A Global Free Speech Flashpoint
As nations worldwide debate how to balance safety with freedom, the UK’s Online Safety Act may become a defining moment in the future of digital rights. For Washington, the message is clear: cross-border censorship will not be tolerated.
