The EU could “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the United States against five Europeans involved in combating digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official has said.
European Leaders Condemn US Move as ‘Intimidation’
Officials from Europe such as Emmanuel Macron charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans targeted individuals who have been at the heart of efforts to enact laws governing US-based technology firms.
“For too long, ideologues in Europe have led coordinated campaigns to pressure American platforms to punish US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “This government will not stand for 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 criticizing the move.
The restrictions were enacted this week on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as four activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK.
An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation
This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities argue the rules are necessary to combat hate speech and disinformation.
This row threatens to become a facet of a far wider existing political and ideological clash involving Washington and Europe.
Additional Updates in the News
In other legal developments:
- A federal judge has blocked attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The official stated the case was “another example” of tying government assistance to adherence to directives.
- Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city ahead of the new year, coinciding with an ongoing border security initiative.
- The nation of Palau will consent to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, after concluding a formal agreement with US authorities.
Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC.
Experts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international strategies.
