The EU might “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unjustified” travel bans imposed by the United States against five European individuals working on fighting digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official stated.
European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’
Officials from Europe including the French president charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans were placed on individuals that were at the heart of campaigns to introduce legislation governing American tech companies.
“For far too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” stated a senior US official in a social media post. “This government 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 supported France in criticizing the move.
The bans were imposed on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the EU’s digital governance law, along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom.
A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance
The DSA is viewed by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders argue the regulations are necessary to control hate speech and disinformation.
This row risks becoming part of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict between Washington and Europe.
Additional Updates in the News
In other legal news:
- A US district judge has blocked attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the action was “another example” of tying government assistance to adherence to directives.
- Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city ahead of the new year, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation.
- The nation of Palau will consent to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in return for additional aid, after signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington.
Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC.
Experts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.
