The United States has taken the extraordinary step of barring five European citizens from entering the country, accusing them of leading efforts to pressure technology companies into censoring American viewpoints. Among those targeted is Thierry Breton, the former European Commissioner for the internal market, a key architect of the EU's landmark Digital Services Act (DSA).
The Accusations and the Individuals Named
In a significant escalation of transatlantic tensions over online speech regulation, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the visa bans. He accused the group of orchestrating "organized efforts to coerce American platforms to censor, demonetize, and suppress American viewpoints they oppose," labelling them as "radical activists and weaponized NGOs."
The individuals were publicly identified by Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy, Sarah Rogers, on social media platform X. The five people facing entry bans are:
- Thierry Breton, former EU Commissioner (2019-2024).
- Imran Ahmed, Chief Executive of the Centre for Countering Digital Hate.
- Josephine Ballon and Anna-Lena von Hodenberg, leaders of the German organisation HateAid.
- Clare Melford, co-founder of the Global Disinformation Index (GDI).
Reacting to the news, Breton posted on social media, "Is McCarthy’s witch hunt back?" A spokesperson for the GDI condemned the US action as "immoral, unlawful, and un-American," calling it an authoritarian attack on free speech.
The Broader Campaign Against EU Tech Regulation
This move is part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration against foreign influence over online speech, utilising immigration law rather than platform regulations. The action follows the administration's National Security Strategy this month, which accused European leaders of censoring free speech and suppressing opposition to immigration policies.
At the heart of the dispute is the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA), a sweeping piece of legislation designed to combat hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation on major online platforms. While the EU frames it as a necessary protection for citizens, Washington argues it stifles free speech and imposes undue costs on US tech companies like Meta, Google, and X.
In recent months, Trump officials have reportedly directed US diplomats to build opposition to the DSA. Sarah Rogers specifically described Thierry Breton as "a mastermind" of the act.
Practical Implications and Legal Basis
The bans were enacted under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Those targeted will generally be barred from entering the US, and some may face removal proceedings if they are already in the country. While most Europeans travel to the US under the Visa Waiver Program, they must complete an online authorisation prior to travel.
A US official, speaking anonymously, indicated that the named individuals have likely been flagged within the Department of Homeland Security's system, effectively revoking their travel privileges. This represents a novel use of immigration policy to wage a geopolitical battle over the future of internet governance and the limits of free expression online, setting a stark precedent for US-EU relations.
