On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) sent subpoenas to eight major technology companies, escalating a Republican-led push to uncover how foreign governments may be influencing U.S. speech online. The targeted firms include Alphabet (Google’s parent company), Meta, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, TikTok, X, and Rumble. This move signals growing alarm over potential censorship of American voices driven by international pressure—and possibly abetted by domestic policies under the Biden-Harris administration.
Why the Subpoenas? Investigating Foreign Influence on Free Speech.
Jordan’s subpoenas aim to dig into communications between these tech giants and foreign governments, focusing on compliance with laws like the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), the U.K.’s Online Services Act (OSA), and regulations in Brazil and Australia targeting illegal content and hate speech. “The Committee must understand how and to what extent foreign governments have limited Americans’ access to lawful speech in the United States,” Jordan stated, also raising questions about whether the Biden-Harris administration played a role in these efforts.
The timing is notable. This action follows the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) recent inquiry into “tech censorship,” launched just last week. FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson emphasized that the probe would explore whether tech platforms—ranging from social media to ride-sharing services—have violated laws by “silencing and intimidating Americans for speaking their minds.” Jordan’s subpoenas amplify this scrutiny, zeroing in on foreign pressures that could be shaping content moderation policies stateside.
Tech Giants Respond: Microsoft and Rumble Weigh In
CNBC reached out to all subpoenaed companies for comment. Microsoft’s spokesperson affirmed the company’s cooperation, stating it is “engaged with the panel and committed to working in good faith.” Meanwhile, Rumble—a video platform positioning itself as a free speech advocate—welcomed the inquiry. A Rumble spokesperson said, “We have received the subpoena and look forward to sharing information related to the ongoing efforts of numerous governments around the globe who seek to suppress the innate human right to self-expression.” Responses from Alphabet, Meta, Amazon, Apple, TikTok, and X are still pending as of February 28, 2025.
A Pattern of Oversight: Republicans vs. Big Tech
This isn’t the first time Jordan and the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee have clashed with tech titans over censorship. In 2023, the panel subpoenaed Alphabet, Meta, and others, demanding records of their interactions with the U.S. government amid allegations of speech suppression. Now, the focus has shifted outward, spotlighting foreign laws like the DSA and OSA, which impose strict content rules that some argue conflict with American free speech principles. The committee is seeking both external communications with foreign entities and internal discussions about compliance—potentially exposing how global regulations impact U.S. users.
What’s at Stake for the Tech Industry in 2025?
The subpoenas come at a pivotal moment. With Bitcoin prices crashing and Trump pushing a pro-crypto agenda (as noted in recent market reports), the tech sector is already navigating choppy waters. Add in this censorship probe, and companies face a dual challenge: balancing international compliance with U.S. expectations of free expression. The outcome could reshape how platforms like Google, Meta, and TikTok moderate content—and whether they prioritize foreign mandates over American liberties.
For now, Jordan’s investigation is a bold step toward transparency. Will it uncover a coordinated effort to stifle U.S. speech, or is it a political flex in a polarized era? As the tech giants prepare their responses, the debate over free speech in the digital age is heating up. Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds.
