The European Union could “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans imposed by the US against five European individuals working on combating digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official has said.
EU Officials Decry US Move as ‘Intimidation’
Officials from Europe such as Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions targeted figures who have been at the heart of efforts to introduce legislation regulating American tech companies.
“For too long, ideologues in Europe have led coordinated campaigns to pressure US companies to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “This government will not stand for such actions of extraterritorial censorship.”
Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in criticizing the decision.
The restrictions were enacted this week on a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK.
An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation
The DSA is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders contend the rules are necessary to control inflammatory language and disinformation.
This row risks becoming a facet of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and Europe.
Other Developments Reported Today
In related judicial news:
- A federal judge has halted efforts to cut federal homeland security funding to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the case was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to adherence to directives.
- Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the new year, alongside an active 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 memorandum of understanding with US authorities.
Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action seeking the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC.
Experts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy strategies.
