The EU might “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unwarranted” visa bans imposed by the United States on five European individuals involved in fighting online hate and misinformation, an EU official has said.
European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’
Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans were placed on figures that were at the heart of efforts to enact laws governing US-based technology firms.
“For far too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “This government will not stand for such actions of extraterritorial censorship.”
Widespread Condemnation Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in condemning the move.
The restrictions were imposed this week against a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, along with four anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK.
A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance
The DSA is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders contend the rules are necessary to combat hate speech and disinformation.
This disagreement threatens to become part of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash between the current US administration and European institutions.
Additional Updates in the News
In other judicial news:
- A US district judge has blocked efforts to cut security grants to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official stated the action was “another example” of tying federal aid to policy compliance.
- Approval was given for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an ongoing border security initiative.
- A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in dozens of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, after concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington.
Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent performing arts center in Washington DC.
Analysts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international strategies.
