The EU could “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it calls “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US against five European individuals involved in fighting online hate and misinformation, an EU official has said.
EU Officials Decry US Move as ‘Intimidation’
European leaders including Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans were placed on figures that were central to efforts to introduce legislation governing US-based technology firms.
“For too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to pressure US companies to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote a senior US official online. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.”
Broad Criticism From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in condemning the decision.
The bans were enacted this week on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several activists fighting false information, including Germany and the United Kingdom.
An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation
This European legislation is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders contend the regulations are necessary to control hate speech and disinformation.
This row risks becoming part of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and European institutions.
Other Developments Reported Today
In other legal developments:
- A US district judge has blocked attempts to reduce security grants to states which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge stated the case was “another example” of linking government assistance to policy compliance.
- Authorization was issued for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to New Orleans ahead of the new year, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation.
- The nation of Palau will consent to accept dozens of migrants from the US in return for additional aid, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington.
Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC.
Experts point out that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international strategies.
