US bans ex-EU commissioner, others over social media rules
The US accuses former EU tech regulator Thierry Breton and four anti-disinformation campaigners of censorship. Breton called the visa ban a “witch hunt.”
Breton was the former top tech regulator at the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm
The US State Department on Tuesday said it would deny visas to former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton and four others in protest of European regulation of social media.
The measure comes amid increasing tensions between the US and the Europe, with President Donald Trump’s adminstration accusing Brussels of cracking down on freedoms.
US bans ex-EU commissioner, others over social media rules
The US accuses former EU tech regulator Thierry Breton and four anti-disinformation campaigners of censorship. Breton called the visa ban a “witch hunt.”
Thierry Breton photographed in April 2024
Breton was the former top tech regulator at the European Commission, the EU’s executive armImage: picture alliance/EUC/ROPI
The US State Department on Tuesday said it would deny visas to former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton and four others in protest of European regulation of social media.
The measure comes amid increasing tensions between the US and the Europe, with President Donald Trump’s adminstration accusing Brussels of cracking down on freedoms.
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Besides Breton, the US visa ban targets:
Anna-Lena von Hodenberg and Josephine Ballon of the German NGO HateAid
Imran Ahmed, the British CEO of the US-based Center for Countering Digital Hate
Clare Melford, co-founder of the Global Disinformation Index (GDI)L
PoliticsUnited States of America
US bans ex-EU commissioner, others over social media rules
The US accuses former EU tech regulator Thierry Breton and four anti-disinformation campaigners of censorship. Breton called the visa ban a “witch hunt.”
Breton was the former top tech regulator at the European Commission, the EU’s executive armImage: picture alliance/EUC/ROPI
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The US State Department on Tuesday said it would deny visas to former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton and four others in protest of European regulation of social media.
The measure comes amid increasing tensions between the US and the Europe, with President Donald Trump’s adminstration accusing Brussels of cracking down on freedoms.
Trump’s new US national security strategy rattles Europe
03:25
Besides Breton, the US visa ban targets:
Anna-Lena von Hodenberg and Josephine Ballon of the German NGO HateAid
Imran Ahmed, the British CEO of the US-based Center for Countering Digital Hate
Clare Melford, co-founder of the Global Disinformation Index (GDI)
Why is the US denying their visas?
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the five people targeted with visa bans “have led organized efforts to coerce American platforms to censor, demonetize and suppress American viewpoints they oppose.”
He did not initially name those facing the visa ban, but Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers later identified them in a post on social media.
Rogers described Breton as the “mastermind” of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which imposes content moderation and other standards on major social media platforms operating in Europe.
The State Department said HateAid functions as a trusted flagger for enforcing the DSA.
