The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the US on five European individuals involved in fighting digital hatred and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’
Officials from Europe such as the French president accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions were placed on figures who have been at the heart of efforts to enact laws governing American tech companies.
“For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce American platforms to suppress US perspectives they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will no longer tolerate such actions of extraterritorial censorship.”
Broad Criticism Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in criticizing the decision.
The restrictions were enacted on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom.
A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation
The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, while European leaders contend the rules are necessary to control hate speech and falsehoods.
This disagreement threatens to become a facet of a much broader existing political and ideological clash involving the current US administration and European institutions.
Other Developments Reported Today
In other legal news:
- A US district judge has halted attempts to reduce security grants to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the action was “another example” of linking government assistance to policy compliance.
- Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to New Orleans prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation.
- The nation of Palau has agreed to accept a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, after signing a formal agreement with US authorities.
Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital.
Experts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.
