The EU could “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unjustified” travel bans imposed by the United States against five Europeans working on fighting online hate and misinformation, an EU official stated.
European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’
Officials from Europe such as the French president charged Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions targeted individuals who have been at the heart of campaigns to enact legislation regulating American tech companies.
“For too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure American platforms to suppress US perspectives they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.”
Broad Criticism Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in criticizing the decision.
The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom.
An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation
The DSA is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders argue the rules are necessary to combat hate speech and falsehoods.
This row risks becoming part of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash involving Washington and Europe.
Additional Updates in the News
In related judicial news:
- A US district judge has blocked attempts to reduce security grants to states which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the action was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to policy compliance.
- Authorization was issued for the deployment of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the holiday period, alongside an ongoing border security initiative.
- A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept dozens of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after concluding a formal agreement with Washington.
Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital.
Experts point out that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.
