The EU could “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the United States on five Europeans involved in combating digital hatred and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated.
EU Officials Decry US Move as ‘Intimidation’
European leaders including the French president charged Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions were placed on individuals who have been central to campaigns to introduce legislation governing American tech companies.
“For too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure US companies to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “This government will not stand for such actions of extraterritorial censorship.”
Broad Criticism Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in criticizing the decision.
The bans were enacted on Tuesday against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, along with four activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom.
An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation
This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders argue the regulations are essential to control hate speech and disinformation.
This disagreement risks becoming a facet of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and Europe.
Additional Updates Reported Today
In other legal news:
- A federal judge has blocked efforts to cut federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the case was “another example” of linking federal aid to adherence to directives.
- Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to New Orleans ahead of the new year, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
- A Pacific Island nation will consent to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in exchange for additional aid, following signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities.
Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital.
Experts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.
