The United States Denies Visas to Ex-EU Commissioner and Others Regarding Online Platform Policies

American diplomatic officials declared it would refuse entry permits to a group of five people, including a ex-European Union official, for reportedly seeking to "pressure" American online companies into curtailing perspectives they disagree with.

"These radical activists and aggressive non-profits have advanced censorship crackdowns by foreign states - in each case targeting US voices and American companies," said US diplomat the official.

Thierry Breton suggested that a "targeted campaign" was underway.

Breton was described as the "key designer" of the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), which imposes content moderation on digital platforms.

A Divisive Regulation

However, it has angered some US conservatives who see it as seeking to censor right-wing opinions. EU authorities denies this.

The official has been in conflict with Elon Musk, owner of platform X, over requirements to follow European regulations.

The European Commission imposed a penalty on X €120m over its verification system – the first fine under the DSA. It said the platform's system was "misleading" because the firm was not "properly authenticating users".

As a countermove, the platform prevented the European body from making adverts on its platform.

Reactions and Broader Bans

Responding to the entry restriction, Breton posted on X: "To our American friends: Censorship isn't where you think it is."

Clare Melford, who leads the UK-based disinformation research group, was also listed.

US Undersecretary of State the official accused 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 "a repressive move on free expression and a blatant example of state-led suppression".

"These measures today are unethical, illegal, and contrary to American values," they stated.

Another figure of the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), a non-governmental organization that fights online hate and false information, was also handed a ban.

The undersecretary labeled Mr Ahmed a "primary partner with efforts to weaponize the government against American people".

Also subject to bans were two executives of HateAid, which the US officials said helped enforce the DSA.

Responding, the two CEOs described it as an "act of repression by a administration that is increasingly disregarding the legal principles".

"We refuse to be silenced by a government that uses accusations of censorship to muzzle those who stand up for human rights," they concluded.

Official Rationale

Rubio said that action was initiated to enact entry bans on "agents of the international suppression network" who would be "typically prohibited from entering the United States".

"The administration has been clear that his America First diplomatic stance opposes violations of US autonomy. Extraterritorial overreach by overseas regulators targeting American speech is no exception," he added.