The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it calls “unwarranted” visa bans issued by the US against five European individuals working on fighting online hate and misinformation, an EU official has said.
EU Officials Decry US Move as ‘Intimidation’
European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans targeted individuals that were central to efforts to introduce laws governing American tech companies.
“For far too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to suppress US perspectives they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “This government will not stand for such actions of extraterritorial censorship.”
Widespread Condemnation Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in condemning the move.
The restrictions were imposed this week on a former EU commissioner involved in crafting 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 type of speech restriction, while European leaders argue the regulations are essential to combat hate speech and disinformation.
This disagreement threatens to become part of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and European institutions.
Other Developments Reported Today
In other legal developments:
- A US district judge has blocked efforts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The official stated the case was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to policy compliance.
- Approval was given for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans prior to the holiday period, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
- The nation of Palau will consent to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in return for increased assistance, after concluding a formal agreement with Washington.
Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital.
Experts have also noted that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.
