🔗 Share this article European Union Could Respond to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson Says The EU might “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it deems “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US on five Europeans involved in fighting digital hatred and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions were placed on individuals that were at the heart of campaigns to introduce laws regulating US-based technology firms. “For too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to suppress US perspectives they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives supported France in condemning the decision. The bans were enacted on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with four activists fighting false information, including two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance This European legislation is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders argue the rules are necessary to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row threatens to become part of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and European institutions. Other Developments Reported Today In other judicial news: A US district judge has halted efforts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the case was “a further instance” of tying government assistance to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the new year, alongside 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 increased assistance, following concluding a formal agreement with US authorities. Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC. Experts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.
The EU might “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it deems “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US on five Europeans involved in fighting digital hatred and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions were placed on individuals that were at the heart of campaigns to introduce laws regulating US-based technology firms. “For too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to suppress US perspectives they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives supported France in condemning the decision. The bans were enacted on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with four activists fighting false information, including two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance This European legislation is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders argue the rules are necessary to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row threatens to become part of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and European institutions. Other Developments Reported Today In other judicial news: A US district judge has halted efforts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the case was “a further instance” of tying government assistance to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the new year, alongside 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 increased assistance, following concluding a formal agreement with US authorities. Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC. Experts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.