The EU might “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unjustified” travel bans issued by the United States against five Europeans involved in combating digital hatred and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
EU Officials Condemn US Move as ‘Intimidation’
European leaders including the French president accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions targeted figures who have been central to efforts to enact legislation governing US-based technology firms.
“For too long, ideologues in Europe have led coordinated campaigns to pressure American platforms to punish US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.”
Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations
Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives supported the French president in criticizing the move.
The bans were imposed this week on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK.
A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance
The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders argue the regulations are necessary to combat hate speech and disinformation.
This disagreement risks becoming a facet of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and European institutions.
Other Developments Reported Today
In other judicial news:
- A federal judge has halted efforts to cut security grants to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the case was “a further instance” of tying government assistance to adherence to directives.
- Authorization was issued for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans prior to the new year, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
- A Pacific Island nation will consent to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with US authorities.
Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital.
Experts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.
