The EU could “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unjustified” travel bans issued by the United States against five Europeans involved in fighting online hate and disinformation, an EU official has said.
EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’
Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans were placed on individuals that were at the heart of campaigns to enact legislation regulating American tech companies.
“For too long, ideologues in Europe have led coordinated campaigns to pressure American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.”
Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the move.
The bans were enacted this week against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK.
An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance
The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, while European leaders contend the regulations are necessary to combat hate speech and disinformation.
This disagreement threatens to become a facet of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and European institutions.
Additional Updates Reported Today
In other judicial news:
- A federal judge has blocked efforts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the case was “a further instance” of tying federal aid to policy compliance.
- Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the holiday period, alongside an active immigration enforcement operation.
- The nation of Palau will consent to take in a limited number of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, following signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities.
Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC.
Experts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.
