U.S. bans visas for ex-EU commissioner and others over alleged censorship

In a significant diplomatic move, the United States has enacted visa bans against Thierry Breton, a former European Union commissioner, alongside four prominent anti-disinformation advocates. This decision, attributed to alleged efforts to suppress American viewpoints on social media platforms, highlights ongoing tensions regarding censorship practices. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the action, emphasizing the government's commitment to countering what he termed organized campaigns aimed at coercing American companies to censor and demonetize content. Rubio stated, "These radical activists and weaponized NGOs have advanced censorship crackdowns by foreign states—targeting American speakers and companies. Their entry to the U.S. poses potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences." Breton, who held his position as EU commissioner from 2019 to 2024 and played a key role in the development of the Digital Services Act (DSA), responded to the visa ban via social media. He pointed out that the DSA was unanimously supported by 90% of the European Parliament and all 27 member states, urging his American counterparts to reconsider their views on censorship. The visa restrictions are part of a broader initiative aimed at enforcing what U.S. officials describe as a "red line" against extraterritorial censorship impacting American citizens. Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers has also criticized the U.K.'s Online Safety Act, arguing it infringes on the free speech of U.S. citizens discussing domestic politics on American platforms. Both the DSA and the U.K.'s OSA represent a growing trend of legislation aimed at regulating Big Tech and enhancing online safety, particularly for minors. The DSA mandates that large tech firms like Google and Meta take stronger action against illegal content or face substantial penalties, while the OSA requires stringent age verification on various online platforms.