The EU could “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans imposed by the United States against five Europeans working on fighting digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
European Leaders Condemn US Move as ‘Coercion’
Officials from Europe such as Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions targeted figures who have been at the heart of campaigns to introduce laws regulating US-based technology firms.
“For too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to punish US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “The current administration will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.”
Broad Criticism From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in condemning the move.
The restrictions were enacted on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several activists fighting false information, including Germany and the United Kingdom.
A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation
The DSA is viewed by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities contend the regulations are necessary to control inflammatory language and disinformation.
This disagreement risks becoming part of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash between the current US administration and Europe.
Additional Updates Reported Today
In related judicial news:
- A US district judge has blocked attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the action was “another example” of linking federal aid to adherence to directives.
- Authorization was issued for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the new year, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation.
- The nation of Palau has agreed to take in a limited number of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, after signing a formal agreement with US authorities.
Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital.
Experts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.
