The EU might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans imposed by the US on five Europeans involved in fighting digital hatred and misinformation, an EU official has said.
European Leaders Decry US Move as ‘Coercion’
Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions targeted individuals who have been at the heart of efforts to enact laws regulating US-based technology firms.
“For far too long, European activists have led organised efforts to coerce American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “The current administration will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.”
Widespread Condemnation Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in condemning the move.
The restrictions were enacted on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as several activists fighting false information, including Germany and the United Kingdom.
An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance
The DSA is seen by US officials as a type of speech restriction, while EU authorities contend the regulations are necessary to control inflammatory language and falsehoods.
This disagreement threatens to become a facet of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and Europe.
Other Developments Reported Today
In other legal news:
- A federal judge has blocked efforts to cut security grants to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the case was “a further instance” of tying government assistance to adherence to directives.
- Approval was given for the deployment 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 will consent to accept dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities.
Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit seeking the stripping of a political figure’s name from a prominent performing arts center in Washington DC.
Experts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.
