The EU could “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it calls “unjustified” visa bans issued by the United States against five Europeans working on fighting online hate and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated.
European Leaders Decry US Move as ‘Coercion’
European leaders including the French president charged Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans targeted figures that were at the heart of campaigns to enact laws governing American tech companies.
“For far too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure American platforms to punish American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated a senior US official in a social media post. “This government will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.”
Broad Criticism Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in criticizing the move.
The restrictions were imposed this week against an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, including Germany and the United Kingdom.
A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation
The DSA is viewed by US officials as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders contend the rules are necessary to control inflammatory language and disinformation.
This disagreement threatens to become a facet of a far wider existing political and ideological clash involving the current US administration and European institutions.
Additional Updates Reported Today
In other legal news:
- A federal judge has blocked efforts to cut federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the case was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to policy compliance.
- Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation.
- A Pacific Island nation will consent to accept dozens of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington.
Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in the capital.
Experts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international strategies.
