🔗 Share this article European Union Might Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Official States The European Union might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the United States against five Europeans working on combating online hate and misinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe including the French president accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans targeted figures that were central to campaigns to introduce laws regulating US-based technology firms. “For far too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to pressure American platforms to punish US perspectives they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration 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 France in criticizing the decision. The bans were enacted on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, including Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance This European legislation is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders argue the rules are essential to control hate speech and disinformation. This row risks becoming part of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and European institutions. Other Developments in the News In related legal developments: A US district judge has halted attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to states which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the action was “another example” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. 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 ongoing immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau will consent to take in a limited number of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, after concluding 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 performing arts center in Washington DC. Experts have also noted that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.
The European Union might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the United States against five Europeans working on combating online hate and misinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe including the French president accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans targeted figures that were central to campaigns to introduce laws regulating US-based technology firms. “For far too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to pressure American platforms to punish US perspectives they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration 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 France in criticizing the decision. The bans were enacted on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, including Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance This European legislation is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders argue the rules are essential to control hate speech and disinformation. This row risks becoming part of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and European institutions. Other Developments in the News In related legal developments: A US district judge has halted attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to states which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the action was “another example” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. 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 ongoing immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau will consent to take in a limited number of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, after concluding 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 performing arts center in Washington DC. Experts have also noted that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.