US Denies Visas to Ex-EU Commissioner and Additional Figures Regarding Social Media Policies
The US State Department declared it would refuse entry permits to five individuals, among them a former EU commissioner, for reportedly seeking to "force" American social media platforms into suppressing perspectives they disagree with.
"These individuals and aggressive non-profits have promoted suppression campaigns by foreign states - in each case focusing on American speakers and US firms," said US diplomat the official.
The former European tech regulator suggested that a "witch hunt" was taking place.
Breton was described as the "architect" of the European Union's online content law, which enforces content moderation 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. EU authorities rejects this characterization.
Breton has clashed with the billionaire entrepreneur, the world's richest man, over obligations to adhere to EU rules.
The European Commission imposed a penalty on X 120 million euros over its blue tick badges – the inaugural penalty under the DSA. It said the platform's system was "misleading" because the firm was not "properly authenticating users".
As a countermove, the platform prevented the Commission from making adverts on its platform.
Responses and Additional Restrictions
Responding to the visa ban, the former commissioner wrote on X: "To our American friends: Censorship isn't where you think it is."
Another listed individual, who leads the UK-based disinformation research group, was included in the sanctions.
A senior US diplomat Sarah B Rogers alleged the GDI of using American public funds "to encourage censorship and blacklisting of US expression and media".
A GDI spokesperson said the visa sanctions as "a repressive move on free expression and an egregious act of state-led suppression".
"Their actions today are unethical, illegal, and un-American," they stated.
Another figure of the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), a non-governmental organization that fights online hate and misinformation, was also handed a ban.
The undersecretary called Mr Ahmed a "primary partner with efforts to weaponize the government against US citizens".
Additionally facing restrictions were two executives of a German organization, which the US officials said helped enforce the DSA.
In a statement, the two CEOs called it an "attempt to silence by a administration that is showing disregard for the legal principles".
"We refuse to be silenced by a government that uses claims of suppression to silence those who defend fundamental freedoms," they added.
Official Rationale
The Secretary of State stated that action was initiated to impose entry bans on "agents of the international suppression network" who would be "typically prohibited from entering the United States".
"President Trump has been clear that his America First diplomatic stance rejects violations of American sovereignty. Foreign-imposed regulations by foreign censors targeting US expression is no exception," he added.
