The EU might “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US on five Europeans involved in fighting online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
European Leaders Condemn US Move as ‘Intimidation’
European leaders including the French president accused the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions targeted individuals that were at the heart of efforts to enact legislation governing US-based technology firms.
“For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce American platforms to punish US perspectives they oppose,” wrote a senior US official online. “The current administration will not stand for such actions of censorship beyond its borders.”
Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in criticizing the move.
The restrictions were enacted on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK.
An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation
The DSA is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities argue the rules are essential to combat hate speech and disinformation.
This disagreement threatens to become a facet of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict between Washington and European institutions.
Additional Updates Reported Today
In related judicial developments:
- A federal judge has halted efforts to reduce security grants to local governments that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The judge stated the action was “another example” of linking government assistance to policy compliance.
- Approval was given for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
- The nation of Palau has agreed to accept dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington.
Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital.
Experts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.
