The European Union might “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the US on five European individuals working on combating digital hatred and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated.
European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’
Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans were placed on individuals who have been at the heart of efforts to enact legislation governing US-based technology firms.
“For too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure US companies to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” stated a senior US official online. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.”
Widespread Condemnation Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in condemning the decision.
The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as four activists fighting false information, including Germany and the United Kingdom.
A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation
The DSA is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, while European leaders contend the regulations are necessary to control hate speech and falsehoods.
This disagreement risks becoming a facet of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and European institutions.
Additional Updates in the News
In related legal news:
- A federal judge has blocked efforts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the action was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to adherence to directives.
- Approval was given for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the new year, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
- A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in dozens of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after concluding a formal agreement with US authorities.
Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital.
Experts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.
