🔗 Share this article European Union Might Retaliate to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson Says The EU might “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans imposed by the US against five Europeans working on combating online hate and disinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Condemn US Move as ‘Coercion’ European leaders such as the French president charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions were placed on individuals that were central to efforts to enact legislation regulating US-based technology firms. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote a senior US official online. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in criticizing the move. The bans were imposed on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with four anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation The DSA is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, while EU authorities contend the regulations are essential to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row threatens to become part of a much broader existing political and ideological clash involving Washington and European institutions. Additional Updates Reported Today In other judicial news: A federal judge has blocked attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge stated the case was “another example” of linking government assistance to adherence to directives. Approval was given for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an active border security initiative. The nation of Palau has agreed to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, following concluding a formal agreement with US authorities. Furthermore, a congressional representative has initiated legal action seeking the removal of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in the capital. Experts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international strategies.
The EU might “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans imposed by the US against five Europeans working on combating online hate and disinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Condemn US Move as ‘Coercion’ European leaders such as the French president charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions were placed on individuals that were central to efforts to enact legislation regulating US-based technology firms. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote a senior US official online. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in criticizing the move. The bans were imposed on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with four anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation The DSA is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, while EU authorities contend the regulations are essential to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row threatens to become part of a much broader existing political and ideological clash involving Washington and European institutions. Additional Updates Reported Today In other judicial news: A federal judge has blocked attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge stated the case was “another example” of linking government assistance to adherence to directives. Approval was given for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an active border security initiative. The nation of Palau has agreed to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, following concluding a formal agreement with US authorities. Furthermore, a congressional representative has initiated legal action seeking the removal of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in the capital. Experts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international strategies.