The EU might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unjustified” travel bans issued by the US on five European individuals working on fighting digital hatred and misinformation, an EU official has said.
EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’
European leaders including the French president accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the visa restrictions were placed on figures that were central to campaigns to enact legislation governing American tech companies.
“For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to suppress US perspectives they oppose,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of extraterritorial censorship.”
Broad Criticism From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the decision.
The bans were imposed this week against an ex-European 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.
An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation
This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a form of censorship, while European leaders argue the rules are essential to control hate speech and disinformation.
This disagreement risks becoming part of a far wider existing political and ideological clash between the current US administration and Europe.
Other Developments in the News
In other legal news:
- A federal judge has halted efforts to cut federal homeland security funding to states which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the case was “a further instance” of tying federal aid to adherence to directives.
- Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to New Orleans prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
- The nation of Palau has agreed to accept dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, after concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington.
Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a prominent performing arts center in Washington DC.
Analysts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a broader belief in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.
