US Refuses Entry Permits to Former European Union Official and Others Regarding Social Media Rules

The US State Department stated it would refuse entry permits to a group of five people, including a former EU commissioner, for reportedly seeking to "force" US-based social media platforms into curtailing viewpoints they oppose.

"These radical activists and weaponized NGOs have advanced suppression campaigns by other governments - in each case targeting American speakers and US firms," said Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Thierry Breton suggested that a "targeted campaign" was occurring.

Officials labeled Breton as the "architect" of the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), which enforces content moderation on social media firms.

A Divisive Regulation

However, it has angered some US conservatives who view it as seeking to censor right-wing opinions. Brussels denies this.

The official has been in conflict with Elon Musk, the world's richest man, over obligations to follow European regulations.

EU regulators recently fined X 120 million euros over its verification system – the inaugural penalty under the DSA. It said the platform's system was "deceptive" because the firm was not "meaningfully verifying users".

In response, the platform prevented the European body from running advertisements on its platform.

Reactions and Broader Bans

Reacting to the visa ban, Breton posted on X: "Addressing the US: Censorship does not lie 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 accused the GDI of using American public funds "to exhort censorship and blacklisting of US expression and press".

A GDI spokesperson characterized the visa sanctions as "a repressive move on free speech and an egregious act of government censorship".

"Their actions today are immoral, illegal, and un-American," the spokesperson added.

Imran Ahmed of the an online hate watchdog, a non-governmental organization that fights digital hatred and false information, was similarly issued a ban.

Rogers labeled Mr Ahmed a "primary partner with efforts to weaponize the state apparatus against US citizens".

Also subject to bans were two executives of a German organization, which the State Department said helped enforce the DSA.

Responding, the two leaders called it an "attempt to silence by a administration that is showing disregard for the rule of law".

"We refuse to be silenced by a state that uses claims of suppression to silence those who stand up for human rights," they concluded.

Official Rationale

Rubio said that steps had been taken to impose visa restrictions on "agents of the international suppression network" who would be "typically prohibited from entering the United States".

"The administration has been clear that his America First diplomatic stance rejects infringements of American sovereignty. Foreign-imposed regulations by foreign censors targeting US expression is unacceptable," he added.