The EU could “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unjustified” travel bans imposed by the United States against five Europeans working on fighting digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official has said.
EU Officials Condemn US Move as ‘Coercion’
Officials from Europe including the French president charged the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, after the visa restrictions were placed on individuals who have been at the heart of campaigns to introduce legislation governing US-based technology firms.
“For far too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.”
Widespread Condemnation Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in condemning the move.
The restrictions were enacted this week on a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, along with four anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK.
A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance
The DSA is viewed by US officials as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the rules are essential to combat hate speech and falsehoods.
This row risks becoming a facet of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and Europe.
Other Developments in the News
In related legal news:
- A federal judge has blocked attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the case was “another example” of tying government assistance to policy compliance.
- Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans prior to the new year, coinciding with an active border security initiative.
- The nation of Palau will consent to accept dozens of migrants from the US in return for increased assistance, after signing a formal agreement with Washington.
Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital.
Analysts point out that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.
