The European Union might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unjustified” travel bans imposed by the US on five Europeans involved in combating online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
European Leaders Decry US Move as ‘Coercion’
Officials from Europe including the French president charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions targeted individuals that were at the heart of efforts to introduce laws governing US-based technology firms.
“For too long, European activists have led organised efforts to coerce American platforms to punish American viewpoints they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state 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 the French president in criticizing the decision.
The bans were imposed this week against an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the EU’s digital governance law, along with four activists fighting false information, including Germany and the United Kingdom.
An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation
The DSA is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities argue the regulations are necessary to combat inflammatory language and disinformation.
This row risks becoming a facet of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict between Washington and Europe.
Additional Updates Reported Today
In related legal news:
- A US district judge has blocked attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The official stated the action was “a further instance” of tying federal aid to policy compliance.
- Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city ahead of the new year, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
- A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept dozens of migrants from the US in return for additional aid, following concluding a formal agreement with Washington.
Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital.
Analysts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.
