The EU might “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the United States on five Europeans involved in combating online hate and disinformation, an EU official stated.
European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’
European leaders including the French president charged the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions were placed on individuals that were at the heart of efforts to introduce legislation regulating US-based technology firms.
“For too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to coerce American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of extraterritorial censorship.”
Broad Criticism Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the decision.
The bans were enacted on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, along with four activists fighting false information, including two in Germany and two in the UK.
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 control inflammatory language and disinformation.
This row threatens to become part of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and European institutions.
Additional Updates in the News
In other legal news:
- A federal judge has halted efforts to reduce security grants to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the case was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to policy compliance.
- Authorization was issued for the deployment of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the new year, alongside an active immigration enforcement operation.
- The nation of Palau will consent to accept a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after signing a formal agreement with US authorities.
Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC.
Experts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.
