🔗 Share this article EU Could Respond to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson States The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unwarranted” visa bans imposed by the US on five European individuals involved in combating digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated. EU Officials Condemn US Move as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe including the French president charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions were placed on figures that were central to campaigns to enact laws regulating US-based technology firms. “For far too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to pressure US companies to punish US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in criticizing the decision. The restrictions were enacted this week on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the EU’s digital governance law, along with several activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance This European legislation is seen by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders contend the rules are essential to combat hate speech and falsehoods. This row risks becoming a facet of a much broader existing political and ideological clash involving Washington and European institutions. Other Developments in the News In other legal news: A federal judge has halted attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The judge stated the action was “another example” of tying federal aid to adherence to directives. Approval was given for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the new year, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau has agreed to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in return for additional aid, after signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC. Analysts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.
The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unwarranted” visa bans imposed by the US on five European individuals involved in combating digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated. EU Officials Condemn US Move as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe including the French president charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions were placed on figures that were central to campaigns to enact laws regulating US-based technology firms. “For far too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to pressure US companies to punish US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in criticizing the decision. The restrictions were enacted this week on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the EU’s digital governance law, along with several activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance This European legislation is seen by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders contend the rules are essential to combat hate speech and falsehoods. This row risks becoming a facet of a much broader existing political and ideological clash involving Washington and European institutions. Other Developments in the News In other legal news: A federal judge has halted attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The judge stated the action was “another example” of tying federal aid to adherence to directives. Approval was given for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the new year, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau has agreed to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in return for additional aid, after signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC. Analysts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.