The European Union might “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unwarranted” visa bans imposed by the US on five Europeans working on combating online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
European Leaders Condemn US Move as ‘Coercion’
European leaders such as the French president charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans targeted figures who have been 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 disagree with,” wrote a senior US official online. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.”
Broad Criticism Across Europe
Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives supported France in condemning the move.
The bans were imposed on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK.
An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation
The DSA is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities contend the regulations are essential to combat inflammatory language and disinformation.
This disagreement threatens to become a facet of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict between Washington and Europe.
Other Developments Reported Today
In other legal developments:
- A federal judge has blocked attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the action was “another example” of tying federal aid to policy compliance.
- Approval was given for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans prior to the new year, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
- The nation of Palau will consent to take in a limited number of individuals from the US in exchange for additional aid, after signing a formal agreement with US authorities.
Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC.
Experts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.
