🔗 Share this article EU Might Retaliate to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson Says The European Union could “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it deems “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the United States on five European individuals working on fighting online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans were placed on figures who have been central to efforts to enact laws governing US-based technology firms. “For too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to pressure American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated a senior US official online. “This government will not stand for such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives supported France in criticizing the move. The restrictions were enacted on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation This European legislation is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the regulations are essential to control hate speech and disinformation. This disagreement threatens to become a facet of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash involving the current US administration and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In other legal news: A US district judge has blocked efforts to cut security grants to local governments that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The judge stated the action was “another example” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Approval was given for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the new year, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept dozens of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, following signing a formal agreement with Washington. Furthermore, a congressional representative has initiated legal action seeking the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC. Experts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.
The European Union could “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it deems “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the United States on five European individuals working on fighting online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans were placed on figures who have been central to efforts to enact laws governing US-based technology firms. “For too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to pressure American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated a senior US official online. “This government will not stand for such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives supported France in criticizing the move. The restrictions were enacted on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation This European legislation is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the regulations are essential to control hate speech and disinformation. This disagreement threatens to become a facet of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash involving the current US administration and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In other legal news: A US district judge has blocked efforts to cut security grants to local governments that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The judge stated the action was “another example” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Approval was given for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the new year, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept dozens of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, following signing a formal agreement with Washington. Furthermore, a congressional representative has initiated legal action seeking the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC. Experts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.