🔗 Share this article The United States Denies Entry Permits to Ex-EU Commissioner and Others Concerning Online Platform Rules The former top tech regulator, who has been in conflict with the owner of platform X. The US State Department declared it would refuse entry permits to a group of five people, among them a former EU commissioner, for reportedly seeking to "pressure" US-based online companies into silencing viewpoints they oppose. "These radical activists and weaponized NGOs have promoted suppression campaigns by foreign states - in each case targeting American speakers and American companies," said US diplomat the official. The former European tech regulator remarked that a "targeted campaign" was taking place. Breton was described as the "architect" of the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), which enforces speech regulations on digital platforms. A Divisive Regulation Yet, it has angered certain right-leaning Americans who see it as an attempt to silence right-wing opinions. Brussels rejects this characterization. Breton has clashed with the billionaire entrepreneur, the world's richest man, over obligations to follow EU rules. The European Commission imposed a penalty on X 120 million euros over its verification system – the inaugural penalty under the DSA. It said the platform's system was "misleading" because the firm was not "properly authenticating users". In response, the platform blocked the European body from running advertisements on its platform. Responses and Additional Restrictions Reacting to the entry restriction, the former commissioner wrote on X: "Addressing the US: Censorship isn't where you think it is." Another listed individual, who heads the UK-based disinformation research group, was included in the sanctions. US Undersecretary of State Sarah B Rogers alleged the GDI of using US taxpayer money "to encourage censorship and blacklisting of US expression and media". A GDI spokesperson 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 an online hate watchdog, a non-governmental organization that fights online hate and misinformation, was also handed a ban. The undersecretary labeled Mr Ahmed a "key collaborator with efforts to misuse the state apparatus against US citizens". Also subject to bans were two executives of HateAid, which the State Department said aided in implementing the DSA. Responding, the two leaders described it as an "act of repression by a administration that is showing disregard for the legal principles". "We will not be intimidated by a government that uses claims of suppression to muzzle those who defend fundamental freedoms," they added. Official Rationale Rubio said that steps had been taken to impose entry bans on "agents of the global censorship-industrial complex" who would be "typically prohibited from entering the United States". "The administration has been clear that his national sovereignty diplomatic stance opposes violations of US autonomy. Foreign-imposed regulations by foreign censors targeting American speech is no exception," he added.
The former top tech regulator, who has been in conflict with the owner of platform X. The US State Department declared it would refuse entry permits to a group of five people, among them a former EU commissioner, for reportedly seeking to "pressure" US-based online companies into silencing viewpoints they oppose. "These radical activists and weaponized NGOs have promoted suppression campaigns by foreign states - in each case targeting American speakers and American companies," said US diplomat the official. The former European tech regulator remarked that a "targeted campaign" was taking place. Breton was described as the "architect" of the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), which enforces speech regulations on digital platforms. A Divisive Regulation Yet, it has angered certain right-leaning Americans who see it as an attempt to silence right-wing opinions. Brussels rejects this characterization. Breton has clashed with the billionaire entrepreneur, the world's richest man, over obligations to follow EU rules. The European Commission imposed a penalty on X 120 million euros over its verification system – the inaugural penalty under the DSA. It said the platform's system was "misleading" because the firm was not "properly authenticating users". In response, the platform blocked the European body from running advertisements on its platform. Responses and Additional Restrictions Reacting to the entry restriction, the former commissioner wrote on X: "Addressing the US: Censorship isn't where you think it is." Another listed individual, who heads the UK-based disinformation research group, was included in the sanctions. US Undersecretary of State Sarah B Rogers alleged the GDI of using US taxpayer money "to encourage censorship and blacklisting of US expression and media". A GDI spokesperson 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 an online hate watchdog, a non-governmental organization that fights online hate and misinformation, was also handed a ban. The undersecretary labeled Mr Ahmed a "key collaborator with efforts to misuse the state apparatus against US citizens". Also subject to bans were two executives of HateAid, which the State Department said aided in implementing the DSA. Responding, the two leaders described it as an "act of repression by a administration that is showing disregard for the legal principles". "We will not be intimidated by a government that uses claims of suppression to muzzle those who defend fundamental freedoms," they added. Official Rationale Rubio said that steps had been taken to impose entry bans on "agents of the global censorship-industrial complex" who would be "typically prohibited from entering the United States". "The administration has been clear that his national sovereignty diplomatic stance opposes violations of US autonomy. Foreign-imposed regulations by foreign censors targeting American speech is no exception," he added.