The United States (US) State Department has barred five European citizens from entering the US, accusing them of leading efforts to pressure technology companies to censor or suppress the views of Americans.The Guardian that this move was the latest attack on European regulations targeting hate speech and disinformation.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the five individuals targeted in the visa ban, including former European Commissioner Thierry Breton, led an organized effort to force American platforms to censor, demonetize, and suppress American views they opposed.
“These radical activists and NGOs used as political tools have encouraged censorship by foreign countries, in each case targeting American speakers and American companies,” Rubio said in a statement.
In recent months, Trump administration officials have ordered US diplomats to build opposition to the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA), which is designed to combat hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation.
