The EU could “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans imposed by the US against five European individuals working on fighting digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official stated.
EU Officials Condemn US Move as ‘Intimidation’
Officials from Europe such as the French president charged Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions targeted figures that were central to campaigns to introduce legislation regulating US-based technology firms.
“For far too long, European activists have led organised efforts to coerce US companies to suppress US perspectives they oppose,” stated a senior US official in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.”
Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in condemning the move.
The bans were enacted on Tuesday against an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK.
An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation
The DSA is viewed by Washington as a form of censorship, while EU authorities argue the regulations are necessary to combat inflammatory language and disinformation.
This row risks becoming a facet of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash involving Washington and Europe.
Other Developments in the News
In other legal developments:
- A US district judge has halted efforts to reduce security grants to states 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 dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the new year, coinciding with an ongoing border security initiative.
- The nation of Palau has agreed to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following concluding a formal agreement with US authorities.
Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit seeking the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC.
Analysts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.