Buterin Warns EU Against 'Zero-Space' Censorship in Digital Services Act
On Dec. 26, 2025, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin cautioned European legislators that the Digital Services Act (DSA) risks creating 'zero-space' censorship — a regime where algorithmic systems suppress or remove content before it reaches users. Buterin argued that allowing opaque automated takedowns would push platforms toward over-removal and chilling effects, rather than addressing harms through accountable processes.
He called on regulators to prioritize algorithmic transparency, audits, and clearer standards for enforcement instead of endorsing broad content removal powers. The warning matters because the DSA is shaping how major platforms and emerging decentralized services manage speech and moderation; policies that favor opaque automation could stifle innovation, reduce user trust, and shift moderation burdens onto protocol-level infrastructure. Buterin’s intervention adds tech-community pressure on Brussels to balance safety with visibility and checks on automated decision-making.