Wed Dec 24 03:38:51 UTC 2025: Summary:

The US government, under Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has imposed visa bans on five Europeans, including former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton, accusing them of pressuring tech companies to censor “American viewpoints.” The targeted individuals are associated with organizations like the Centre for Countering Digital Hate, HateAid, and the Global Disinformation Index. The US alleges that they used the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) to unfairly target American platforms and suppress speech, particularly viewpoints aligned with conservatives. European officials have condemned the move as an overreach and an attempt to impose US rules on their digital space, defending the DSA as a democratically adopted law focused on transparency and safety. The action comes amid rising tensions between the US and Europe over digital regulations and content moderation policies.

News Article:

US Bans Visas for Ex-EU Commissioner, Citing Censorship Concerns

WASHINGTON – The United States has imposed visa bans on five European individuals, including former European Commissioner Thierry Breton, accusing them of attempting to censor “American viewpoints” on social media platforms. The move, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, escalates tensions between the US and Europe over digital regulations and content moderation.

Rubio labeled the individuals as “radical activists” who have “advanced censorship crackdowns” by foreign states against American companies. The administration specifically targeted Thierry Breton, who served as the European commissioner for the internal market until recently. US officials accuse Breton of being the “mastermind” behind the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), a landmark law intended to combat hateful speech, misinformation, and disinformation online. They allege that Breton threatened Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), ahead of an interview with former President Donald Trump.

The other individuals targeted by the visa bans include:

  • Imran Ahmed, chief executive of the Centre for Countering Digital Hate
  • Josephine Ballon and Anna-Lena von Hodenberg, leaders of HateAid, a German organization
  • Clare Melford, who runs the Global Disinformation Index (GDI)

European officials have strongly condemned the US action. French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot stated that the EU “cannot let the rules governing their digital space be imposed by others.” He emphasized that the DSA was democratically adopted and has no extraterritorial reach.

Breton himself responded to the ban by calling it a “witch hunt” and comparing it to the McCarthy era. Representatives from HateAid and GDI have also denounced the action, accusing the US of attempting to stifle free speech and obstruct the enforcement of European law.

The visa bans follow a growing rift between the US and Europe over digital policies, particularly the DSA and the UK’s Online Safety Act, which impose similar content moderation requirements on social media platforms. The US has also signaled potential retaliatory measures against European businesses. The move is likely to further strain transatlantic relations and fuel the debate over the balance between free speech and online safety.

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