🔗 Share this article US Denies Entry Permits to Former European Union Official and Others Concerning Online Platform Regulations Thierry Breton, who has been in conflict with Elon Musk. The US State Department announced it would deny visas to five individuals, among them a ex-European Union official, for allegedly seeking to "force" American social media platforms into curtailing opinions they disagree with. "These individuals and weaponized NGOs have promoted censorship crackdowns by foreign states - in each case targeting American speakers and US firms," remarked Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The former European tech regulator implied that a "witch hunt" was taking place. Officials labeled Breton as the "mastermind" of the European Union's online content law, which enforces speech regulations on social media firms. A Divisive Regulation However, it has angered some US conservatives who see it as an attempt to silence right-wing opinions. EU authorities denies this. The official has been in conflict with the billionaire entrepreneur, owner of platform X, over obligations to adhere to European regulations. EU regulators recently fined X 120 million euros over its verification system – the inaugural penalty under the DSA. Regulators stated the platform's system was "misleading" because the firm was not "meaningfully verifying users". In response, Musk's site prevented the European body from making adverts on its platform. Responses and Additional Restrictions Reacting to the entry restriction, the former commissioner wrote on X: "Addressing the US: Speech suppression isn't where you think it is." Another listed individual, who heads the British disinformation research group, was also listed. US Undersecretary of State the official alleged the GDI of using American public funds "to exhort suppression and blacklisting of US expression and press". A representative for the group said the entry bans as "a repressive move on free expression and an egregious act of state-led suppression". "These measures today are unethical, unlawful, and un-American," they stated. Another figure of the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), a non-governmental organization that combats digital hatred and misinformation, was similarly issued a ban. Rogers labeled Mr Ahmed a "primary partner with campaigns to misuse the government against American people". Also subject to bans were two executives of HateAid, which the State Department said helped enforce the DSA. In a statement, the two leaders 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 state that uses accusations of censorship to muzzle those who stand up for human rights," they concluded. Policy Justification Rubio said that steps had been taken to enact entry bans on "representatives of the international suppression network" who would be "generally barred from entering the United States". "President Trump has been clear that his America First diplomatic stance rejects violations of American sovereignty. Foreign-imposed regulations by overseas regulators targeting US expression is unacceptable," he added.
Thierry Breton, who has been in conflict with Elon Musk. The US State Department announced it would deny visas to five individuals, among them a ex-European Union official, for allegedly seeking to "force" American social media platforms into curtailing opinions they disagree with. "These individuals and weaponized NGOs have promoted censorship crackdowns by foreign states - in each case targeting American speakers and US firms," remarked Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The former European tech regulator implied that a "witch hunt" was taking place. Officials labeled Breton as the "mastermind" of the European Union's online content law, which enforces speech regulations on social media firms. A Divisive Regulation However, it has angered some US conservatives who see it as an attempt to silence right-wing opinions. EU authorities denies this. The official has been in conflict with the billionaire entrepreneur, owner of platform X, over obligations to adhere to European regulations. EU regulators recently fined X 120 million euros over its verification system – the inaugural penalty under the DSA. Regulators stated the platform's system was "misleading" because the firm was not "meaningfully verifying users". In response, Musk's site prevented the European body from making adverts on its platform. Responses and Additional Restrictions Reacting to the entry restriction, the former commissioner wrote on X: "Addressing the US: Speech suppression isn't where you think it is." Another listed individual, who heads the British disinformation research group, was also listed. US Undersecretary of State the official alleged the GDI of using American public funds "to exhort suppression and blacklisting of US expression and press". A representative for the group said the entry bans as "a repressive move on free expression and an egregious act of state-led suppression". "These measures today are unethical, unlawful, and un-American," they stated. Another figure of the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), a non-governmental organization that combats digital hatred and misinformation, was similarly issued a ban. Rogers labeled Mr Ahmed a "primary partner with campaigns to misuse the government against American people". Also subject to bans were two executives of HateAid, which the State Department said helped enforce the DSA. In a statement, the two leaders 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 state that uses accusations of censorship to muzzle those who stand up for human rights," they concluded. Policy Justification Rubio said that steps had been taken to enact entry bans on "representatives of the international suppression network" who would be "generally barred from entering the United States". "President Trump has been clear that his America First diplomatic stance rejects violations of American sovereignty. Foreign-imposed regulations by overseas regulators targeting US expression is unacceptable," he added.