🔗 Share this article EU Could Retaliate to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson Says The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the United States on five Europeans working on fighting online hate and disinformation, an EU official stated. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe such as the French president accused the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans targeted individuals who have been central to efforts to enact laws regulating American tech companies. “For too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure US companies to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated a senior US official online. “The current administration will no longer tolerate 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 restrictions were imposed this week on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation The DSA is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders argue the rules are necessary to combat inflammatory language and disinformation. This row threatens to become a facet of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In related judicial developments: A federal judge has halted 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 “another example” of tying federal aid to adherence to directives. Approval was given for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the new year, coinciding with an ongoing border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to take in a limited number of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, after signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of a political figure’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital. Experts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.
The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the United States on five Europeans working on fighting online hate and disinformation, an EU official stated. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe such as the French president accused the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans targeted individuals who have been central to efforts to enact laws regulating American tech companies. “For too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure US companies to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated a senior US official online. “The current administration will no longer tolerate 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 restrictions were imposed this week on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation The DSA is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders argue the rules are necessary to combat inflammatory language and disinformation. This row threatens to become a facet of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In related judicial developments: A federal judge has halted 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 “another example” of tying federal aid to adherence to directives. Approval was given for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the new year, coinciding with an ongoing border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to take in a limited number of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, after signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of a political figure’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital. Experts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.