US Refuses Entry Permits to Ex-EU Commissioner and Others Regarding Online Platform Rules
The US State Department stated it would refuse entry permits to five individuals, including a former EU commissioner, for reportedly seeking to "pressure" American social media platforms into silencing perspectives they disagree with.
"These radical activists and aggressive non-profits have advanced censorship crackdowns by other governments - in each case focusing on American speakers and US firms," stated Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Thierry Breton remarked that a "targeted campaign" was underway.
Officials labeled Breton as the "architect" of the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), which mandates content moderation on digital platforms.
A Divisive Regulation
However, it has angered some US conservatives who view it as seeking to censor conservative viewpoints. EU authorities rejects this characterization.
The official has been in conflict with the billionaire entrepreneur, owner of platform X, over requirements to adhere to EU rules.
The European Commission imposed a penalty on X €120m over its blue tick badges – the first fine under the DSA. Regulators stated the platform's system was "deceptive" because the firm was not "meaningfully verifying users".
In response, Musk's site blocked the European body from making adverts on its platform.
Reactions and Broader Bans
Reacting to the entry restriction, Breton posted on X: "Addressing the US: Speech suppression does not lie where you think it is."
Another listed individual, who heads the UK-based Global Disinformation Index (GDI), was also listed.
US Undersecretary of State the official accused the GDI of using US taxpayer money "to encourage suppression and targeting of US expression and press".
A GDI spokesperson characterized the entry bans as "a repressive move on free expression and a blatant example of government censorship".
"Their actions today are unethical, illegal, and contrary to American values," the spokesperson added.
Another figure of the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), a non-governmental organization that combats online hate and false information, was also handed a ban.
The undersecretary labeled Mr Ahmed a "primary partner with efforts to misuse the government against American people".
Additionally facing restrictions were Anna-Lena von Hodenberg and Josephine Ballon of HateAid, which the State Department said aided in implementing the DSA.
In a statement, the two CEOs called it an "act of repression by a administration that is increasingly disregarding the rule of law".
"We refuse to be silenced by a state that uses accusations of censorship to muzzle those who stand up for human rights," they added.
Official Rationale
Rubio said that steps had been taken to enact entry bans on "representatives of the global censorship-industrial complex" who would be "generally barred from entering the United States".
"The administration has been explicit that his national sovereignty diplomatic stance rejects infringements of US autonomy. Extraterritorial overreach by foreign censors aimed at US expression is unacceptable," he affirmed.
