US Denies Entry Permits to Ex-EU Commissioner and Others Over Online Platform Rules
American diplomatic officials announced it would deny visas to a group of five people, including a former EU commissioner, for allegedly seeking to "coerce" American social media platforms into silencing viewpoints they oppose.
"These individuals and aggressive non-profits have advanced suppression campaigns by other governments - in each case targeting American speakers and American companies," remarked US diplomat Marco Rubio.
Thierry Breton remarked that a "targeted campaign" was taking place.
Breton was described as the "mastermind" of the European Union's online content law, which enforces speech regulations on social media firms.
A Divisive Regulation
Yet, the act has frustrated some US conservatives who see it as an attempt to silence conservative viewpoints. Brussels rejects this characterization.
Breton has clashed with the billionaire entrepreneur, the world's richest man, over requirements to follow European regulations.
The European Commission imposed a penalty on X 120 million euros over its verification system – the inaugural penalty under the DSA. It said the platform's system was "deceptive" because the firm was not "properly authenticating users".
In response, the platform prevented the European body from making adverts on its platform.
Reactions and Broader Bans
Responding to the visa ban, Breton posted on X: "To our American friends: Censorship isn't where you think it is."
Clare Melford, who heads the British Global Disinformation Index (GDI), was included in the sanctions.
US Undersecretary of State the official accused the GDI of using American public funds "to exhort censorship and targeting of US expression and media".
A GDI spokesperson characterized the entry bans as "an authoritarian attack on free speech and a blatant example of government censorship".
"Their actions today are immoral, unlawful, and contrary to American values," they stated.
Another figure of the an online hate watchdog, a nonprofit that combats digital hatred and misinformation, was similarly issued a ban.
Rogers labeled Mr Ahmed a "key collaborator with efforts to misuse the government against US citizens".
Also subject to bans were two executives of a German organization, which the State Department said aided in implementing the DSA.
In a statement, the two CEOs called it an "act of repression by a administration that is showing disregard for the rule of law".
"We will not be intimidated by a state that uses accusations of censorship to silence those who stand up for human rights," they added.
Official Rationale
The Secretary of State stated that action was initiated to impose entry bans on "representatives of the global censorship-industrial complex" who would be "generally barred from entering the United States".
"The administration has been explicit that his America First diplomatic stance opposes violations of American sovereignty. Extraterritorial overreach by overseas regulators aimed at US expression is no exception," he affirmed.
