The European Union could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it deems “unjustified” travel bans issued by the US on five European individuals involved in fighting digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official has said.
EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’
European leaders such as the French president charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans targeted figures who have been at the heart of campaigns to introduce laws regulating American tech companies.
“For too long, European activists have led organised efforts to pressure American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.”
Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in condemning the move.
The restrictions were imposed this week on a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, along with several activists fighting false information, including Germany and the United Kingdom.
A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation
This European legislation is viewed by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders argue the rules are necessary to control inflammatory language and falsehoods.
This row risks becoming part of a much broader existing political and ideological clash between Washington and European institutions.
Other Developments Reported Today
In other legal news:
- A federal judge has blocked attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to local governments that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the action was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to policy compliance.
- Approval was given for the dispatch 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 dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington.
Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC.
Experts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international strategies.
