The European Union might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unwarranted” visa bans imposed by the United States on five European individuals working on fighting online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
EU Officials Decry US Move as ‘Coercion’
European leaders including the French president accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans targeted individuals who have been at the heart of efforts to introduce laws regulating American tech companies.
“For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce US companies to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “The current administration will no longer tolerate such actions of extraterritorial censorship.”
Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in condemning the move.
The bans were imposed this week against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, including Germany and the United Kingdom.
A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation
The DSA is viewed by Washington as a type of speech restriction, while European leaders contend the regulations are essential to control hate speech and disinformation.
This row risks becoming a facet of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and Europe.
Other Developments Reported Today
In related legal news:
- A federal judge has halted attempts to cut security grants to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the case was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to adherence to directives.
- Approval was given for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the new year, alongside an active immigration enforcement operation.
- The nation of Palau has agreed to take in dozens of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, after concluding a formal agreement with US authorities.
Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital.
Experts have also noted that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.
