The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the US against five Europeans working on combating digital hatred and misinformation, an EU official has said.
European Leaders Decry US Move as ‘Intimidation’
European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans were placed on individuals who have been central to campaigns to enact laws regulating American tech companies.
“For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to suppress US perspectives they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state 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 the French president in condemning the decision.
The bans were imposed this week on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK.
An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation
The DSA is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders argue the rules are essential to control hate speech and disinformation.
This row threatens to become a facet of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash between the current US administration and Europe.
Additional Updates Reported Today
In related judicial news:
- A federal judge has halted attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the action was “a further instance” of tying government assistance to adherence to directives.
- Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the holiday period, alongside an ongoing border security initiative.
- The nation of Palau has agreed to take in dozens of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, after concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington.
Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital.
Experts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.
