US Denies Entry Permits to Ex-EU Commissioner and Others Regarding Social Media Rules
American diplomatic officials announced it would refuse entry permits to five individuals, including a ex-European Union official, for reportedly seeking to "pressure" American online companies into suppressing perspectives they oppose.
"These individuals and aggressive non-profits have advanced censorship crackdowns by other governments - in each case targeting American speakers and US firms," remarked Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The former European tech regulator remarked that a "witch hunt" was underway.
Breton was described as the "architect" of the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), which enforces speech regulations on digital platforms.
A Divisive Regulation
Yet, the act has frustrated some US conservatives who view it as seeking to censor conservative viewpoints. EU authorities rejects this characterization.
Breton has clashed with Elon Musk, the world's richest man, over obligations to adhere to EU rules.
The European Commission imposed a penalty on X €120m over its verification system – the inaugural penalty under the DSA. Regulators stated the platform's system was "deceptive" because the firm was not "meaningfully verifying users".
In response, the platform blocked the Commission from making adverts on its platform.
Responses and Additional Restrictions
Reacting to the visa ban, Breton posted on X: "Addressing the US: Speech suppression does not lie where you think it is."
Another listed individual, who leads the British Global Disinformation Index (GDI), was also listed.
US Undersecretary of State Sarah B Rogers alleged the GDI of using US taxpayer money "to encourage censorship and blacklisting of US expression and press".
A representative for the group characterized the visa sanctions as "an authoritarian attack on free expression and an egregious act of government censorship".
"These measures today are immoral, unlawful, and contrary to American values," the spokesperson added.
Another figure of the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), a nonprofit that fights digital hatred and false information, was similarly issued a ban.
The undersecretary labeled Mr Ahmed a "primary partner with efforts to weaponize the government against US citizens".
Also subject to bans were Anna-Lena von Hodenberg and Josephine Ballon of HateAid, which the State Department said helped enforce the DSA.
Responding, 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 government that uses claims of suppression to muzzle those who defend human rights," they added.
Official Rationale
Rubio said that steps had been taken to impose entry bans on "agents of the global censorship-industrial complex" who would be "typically prohibited from entering the United States".
"President Trump has been explicit that his national sovereignty diplomatic stance opposes infringements of US autonomy. Extraterritorial overreach by overseas regulators targeting American speech is no exception," he affirmed.
