The EU could “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the United States on five Europeans working on fighting online hate and misinformation, an EU official has said.
European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’
European leaders including Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans targeted figures who have been central to efforts to enact legislation regulating US-based technology firms.
“For far too long, European activists have led organised efforts to coerce American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “This government will not stand for such actions of censorship beyond its borders.”
Widespread Condemnation Across Europe
Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives supported the French president in criticizing the move.
The restrictions were enacted this week on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the EU’s digital governance law, as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK.
An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance
The DSA is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities argue the regulations are necessary to control inflammatory language and falsehoods.
This row risks becoming part of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash between the current US administration and Europe.
Additional Updates Reported Today
In related judicial news:
- A US district judge has blocked efforts to reduce security grants to local governments that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The judge stated the action was “a further instance” of tying federal aid to adherence to directives.
- Authorization was issued for the deployment of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the holiday period, alongside an ongoing border security initiative.
- A Pacific Island nation has agreed to take in dozens of migrants from the US in return for increased assistance, after signing a formal agreement with Washington.
Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital.
Experts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.
