🔗 Share this article EU Could Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson Says The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the US on five European individuals involved in combating digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe including the French president charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans were placed on figures that were at the heart of campaigns to introduce laws regulating American tech companies. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to pressure US companies to suppress US perspectives they oppose,” stated a senior US official online. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives supported France in condemning the decision. The bans were enacted this week on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, as well as several activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation The DSA is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities contend the rules are essential to combat hate speech and falsehoods. This disagreement threatens to become a facet of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash between the current US administration and Europe. Additional Updates in the News In other legal news: A federal judge has halted attempts to cut security grants to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the action was “another example” of tying federal aid to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the new year, alongside an active border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in dozens of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, after signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Furthermore, a congressional representative has initiated legal action to demand the removal of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital. Analysts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.
The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the US on five European individuals involved in combating digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe including the French president charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans were placed on figures that were at the heart of campaigns to introduce laws regulating American tech companies. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to pressure US companies to suppress US perspectives they oppose,” stated a senior US official online. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives supported France in condemning the decision. The bans were enacted this week on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, as well as several activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation The DSA is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities contend the rules are essential to combat hate speech and falsehoods. This disagreement threatens to become a facet of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash between the current US administration and Europe. Additional Updates in the News In other legal news: A federal judge has halted attempts to cut security grants to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the action was “another example” of tying federal aid to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the new year, alongside an active border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in dozens of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, after signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Furthermore, a congressional representative has initiated legal action to demand the removal of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital. Analysts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.