WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. State Department is developing an online portal intended to allow users in Europe and elsewhere to access content restricted under local laws, according to sources familiar with the project.
The proposed site, expected to operate under the domain freedom.gov, would provide access to material that some European governments classify as illegal hate speech, terrorist propaganda, or harmful disinformation. Officials familiar with the plan said discussions included potentially incorporating virtual private network (VPN) functionality so user traffic could appear to originate in the United States. Sources also indicated the platform would not track user activity.
The initiative comes as the Trump administration has prioritized digital free speech in its foreign policy, frequently criticizing European regulations such as the European Union’s Digital Services Act and Britain’s Online Safety Act. U.S. officials argue such policies suppress lawful expression, while European authorities maintain they are designed to curb extremist propaganda and unlawful hate speech.
The project was reportedly slated for unveiling at the Munich Security Conference but was delayed. Some State Department officials have raised concerns, though a department spokesperson denied any announcement was postponed.
The effort could further complicate U.S.-European relations as debates over digital regulation and cross-border enforcement continue.
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