🔗 Share this article EU Could Respond to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Official States The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it calls “unjustified” visa bans issued by the United States on five Europeans working on fighting digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated. EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe including the French president charged the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, after the visa restrictions were placed on figures who have been at the heart of efforts to introduce legislation governing US-based technology firms. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state online. “This government 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 move. The bans were imposed on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance This European legislation is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, while EU authorities argue the regulations are essential to control hate speech and disinformation. This row threatens to become part of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash involving the current US administration and Europe. Additional Updates in the News In other legal news: A US district judge has halted attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to states which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the case was “another example” of linking government assistance to adherence to directives. Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the holiday period, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept a limited number of migrants from the US in return for increased assistance, after concluding a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a prominent performing arts center in the capital. Experts have also noted that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international strategies.
The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it calls “unjustified” visa bans issued by the United States on five Europeans working on fighting digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated. EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe including the French president charged the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, after the visa restrictions were placed on figures who have been at the heart of efforts to introduce legislation governing US-based technology firms. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state online. “This government 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 move. The bans were imposed on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance This European legislation is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, while EU authorities argue the regulations are essential to control hate speech and disinformation. This row threatens to become part of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash involving the current US administration and Europe. Additional Updates in the News In other legal news: A US district judge has halted attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to states which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the case was “another example” of linking government assistance to adherence to directives. Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the holiday period, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept a limited number of migrants from the US in return for increased assistance, after concluding a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a prominent performing arts center in the capital. Experts have also noted that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international strategies.