The EU might “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unjustified” travel bans issued by the US on five Europeans involved in combating online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’
European leaders including the French president accused the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans were placed on individuals who have been central to efforts to enact laws governing US-based technology firms.
“For far too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to pressure American platforms to suppress US perspectives they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.”
Widespread Condemnation Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the decision.
The bans were enacted this week on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, along with several activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom.
A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation
The DSA is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders contend the rules are necessary to control inflammatory language and disinformation.
This row threatens to become part of a far wider existing political and ideological clash involving Washington and Europe.
Additional Updates in the News
In related judicial developments:
- A federal judge has halted attempts to reduce security grants to states which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the action was “another example” of tying government assistance to policy compliance.
- Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the holiday period, alongside an active border security initiative.
- The nation of Palau has agreed to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in return for additional aid, following signing a formal agreement with Washington.
Furthermore, a congressional representative has initiated legal action seeking the removal of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital.
Experts have also noted that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.
