US EditionUS Imposes Visas Bans on Thierry Breton and Four European NGO Figures Over Alleged Online Censorship
The U.S. barred five Europeans accused of pressuring American tech firms to censor U.S. speech, citing risks to U.S. foreign policy and targeting the EU's Digital Services Act.
- On December 23 the United States State Department announced it would deny visas to five Europeans under a May visa-restriction policy targeting censorship of US speech.
- Washington says the measures respond to alleged coercion of US platforms, targeting individuals who sought to 'coerce' American platforms into censoring opposing viewpoints amid Digital Services Act enforcement.
- Sarah B. Rogers named Imran Ahmed, Josephine Ballon, Anna-Lena von Hodenberg, Clare Melford, and Thierry Breton, with officials describing them as targets of the visa bans.
- The European Commission said it `strongly condemns` the U.S. decision and sought clarifications, while Emmanuel Macron called it `intimidation` and Jean-Noël Barrot affirmed European digital sovereignty.
- Officials signalled potential targeting of European companies and flagged cooperation risks; the administration stands ready to expand the list and may involve the Department of Homeland Security.
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380 Articles
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EU leaders erupt over US travel ban on officials involved in Digital Services Act
Foreign leaders are condemning the Trump administration for imposing visa restrictions on five Europeans whom Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused of trying to censor Americans under the European Union’s content moderation law. Five people, including former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton, whom U.S. officials labeled the “mastermind” behind the EU’s Digital Services Act regulating social media platforms, are now barred from entering the United …
The EU threatens the US with consequences because of the imposed entry bans against five Europeans. European Commission President von der Leyen strongly condemned the action. The Commission asked for clarification, it said from Brussels. If necessary, one would react quickly and decisively to defend the right to establish its own rules in the digital area.
Trump Ban on European Disinformation Opponents Decried as 'Authoritarian Attack on Free Speech'
President Donald Trump's administration is under fire for imposing a travel ban on a former European Union commissioner and leaders of nongovernmental groups that fight against disinformation and hate speech.
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