🔗 Share this article European Union Could Respond to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Official Says The EU might “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unjustified” travel bans imposed by the US on five Europeans involved in fighting digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official stated. European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’ European leaders including the French president accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions were placed on individuals who have been central to efforts to introduce laws regulating American tech companies. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official online. “This government will not stand for these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in criticizing the move. The restrictions were imposed this week on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with four activists fighting false information, including Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities contend the rules are necessary to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row threatens to become part of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash between Washington and European institutions. Other Developments in the News In related judicial news: A US district judge has blocked attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge stated the case was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, alongside an ongoing border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in dozens of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after concluding a formal agreement with US authorities. Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in the capital. Analysts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.
The EU might “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unjustified” travel bans imposed by the US on five Europeans involved in fighting digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official stated. European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’ European leaders including the French president accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions were placed on individuals who have been central to efforts to introduce laws regulating American tech companies. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official online. “This government will not stand for these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in criticizing the move. The restrictions were imposed this week on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with four activists fighting false information, including Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities contend the rules are necessary to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row threatens to become part of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash between Washington and European institutions. Other Developments in the News In related judicial news: A US district judge has blocked attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge stated the case was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, alongside an ongoing border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in dozens of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after concluding a formal agreement with US authorities. Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in the capital. Analysts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.