In a significant escalation of the transatlantic tech war, the United States has denied visas to five prominent European figures, accusing them of attempting to "coerce" American social media companies into censoring viewpoints they oppose. The move, announced by the US State Department on Tuesday, has drawn fierce condemnation from the European Union and France, which labelled it an act of "intimidation."
The Accused and the Allegations
The US State Department stated that the targeted individuals are "radical activists and weaponized NGOs" who have advanced censorship crackdowns by foreign states, specifically targeting American speakers and companies. The visa ban notably affects Thierry Breton, the former European Commissioner for the internal market and the architect behind the EU's landmark Digital Services Act (DSA).
The DSA imposes stringent content moderation and data protection rules on major online platforms. In the US, particularly among conservatives, the act is viewed as a tool for censoring right-wing thought—a claim the EU vehemently denies. Other individuals barred from entry include Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), a non-profit that has also been criticised by Elon Musk.
The list extends to Anna-Lena von Hodenberg and Josephine Ballon from the German organisation HateAid, which the US says acts as a "trusted flagger" for DSA enforcement. Clare Melford, of the UK-based Global Disinformation Index (GDI), completes the group. The US action also implicitly targets the UK's Online Safety Act, Britain's version of the DSA.
Europe's Furious Response
The European Commission was swift and sharp in its reaction. In an official statement, it "strongly condemns" the US sanctions and has demanded clarifications from Washington. "If needed, we will respond swiftly and decisively to defend our regulatory autonomy against unjustified measures," the Commission warned.
It defended the DSA, stating that EU digital rules "ensure a safe, fair, and level playing field for all companies" and are applied without discrimination. The Commission emphasised that freedom of expression is a fundamental right shared with the US and that the EU has the sovereign right to regulate its single market based on democratic values.
Macron Calls it Intimidation
Adding a powerful political voice to the dispute, French President Emmanuel Macron took to social media platform X to denounce the US decision. France condemns the visa restrictions as measures that "amount to intimidation and coercion aimed at undermining European digital sovereignty," Macron stated.
He asserted that the EU's digital regulations were born from a democratic process and are designed to ensure platform fairness and that offline illegality applies online. "The rules governing the European Union’s digital space are not meant to be determined outside Europe," Macron declared, vowing that Europe would continue to defend its digital sovereignty alongside the Commission.
This diplomatic row highlights the deepening rift between the US and Europe over who controls the rules of the digital world. It sets the stage for a potentially protracted conflict between Western allies on issues of free speech, platform regulation, and technological sovereignty.
