IntelBrief: U.S.-EU Content Moderation Divide Crystallizes with Hamas-Israel Conflict

Bottom Line Up Front

• The onslaught of disinformation related to the Hamas-Israel conflict has highlighted the distinct approaches of the European Union (EU) and the United States regarding content moderation on social media platforms.
• The EU’s landmark Digital Services Act, which came into force for major online platforms in August, may aid the European Commission in combatting disinformation related to the conflict by keeping platforms accountable for illegal and harmful content.
• The U.S. tradition of affording greater protections to free speech has manifested with less stringent content moderation compared to Europe amid the uptick in conflict-related mis- and disinformation.
• While they attempt to shield their own populations from foreign information operations, China and Russia are accused of actively sowing division in the Middle East conflict with Western audiences.