The EU and several member states strongly protested U.S. visa bans imposed on five Europeans linked to tech regulation, including former commissioner Thierry Breton. Washington accused the individuals of trying to pressure U.S. platforms into censoring viewpoints, while EU leaders say the measures threaten European regulatory autonomy. The dispute centers on the Digital Services Act, which the EU defends as a democratically adopted law to increase transparency and protect users. The row has sparked sharp statements from France, Germany and Spain and pushback from affected civil-society groups.
EU and Member States Condemn U.S. Visa Bans on Five Tech Regulators, Including Thierry Breton
European Commission efforts to regulate the US tech giants have angered Washington (Nicolas TUCAT)(Nicolas TUCAT/AFP/AFP)
The European Union and several of its member states sharply protested on Wednesday after the United States announced visa restrictions on five Europeans involved in digital regulation and online safety work, including former EU commissioner Thierry Breton.
The U.S. State Department said on Tuesday it would deny visas to the five, accusing them of attempting to "coerce" American social media platforms into suppressing viewpoints they dislike. The move has drawn swift condemnation from Brussels and national capitals, and has escalated tensions over the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA).
What the EU Says
A spokesperson for the European Commission said the EU has asked U.S. authorities for clarifications and remains engaged in dialogue. "If necessary, we will act swiftly and decisively to defend our regulatory autonomy against unjustified measures," the Commission added, stressing that EU digital rules seek to ensure "a safe, fair and level playing field for all companies, applied impartially and without discrimination."
Why the DSA Is Central
The Digital Services Act requires large online platforms operating in the EU to be more transparent about content-moderation decisions, to provide users with information and recourse, and to enable researchers to study issues such as children's exposure to harmful content. Supporters say the DSA raises safety and accountability; critics — particularly some U.S. conservatives — argue it amounts to censorship of right-leaning views, a charge EU officials reject.
Reactions From National Leaders
French President Emmanuel Macron called the visa restrictions "intimidation and coercion aimed at undermining European digital sovereignty," and pledged that Europe would defend its regulatory autonomy. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the DSA "was democratically adopted by the EU for the EU — it does not have extraterritorial effect," calling the U.S. measures "not acceptable." Spain's foreign ministry also condemned the bans and reiterated that a safe digital space free from illegal content and disinformation is a democratic priority.
Who Was Targeted?
Those named by the U.S. include Thierry Breton, the former European commissioner widely associated with the DSA, British national Imran Ahmed of the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), Clare Melford of the Global Disinformation Index (GDI), and two representatives of the German nonprofit HateAid, Anna-Lena von Hodenberg and Josephine Ballon. The State Department said some of the groups function as "trusted flaggers" under the DSA, helping platforms identify illegal or harmful content.
Responses From Those Targeted
Breton compared the move to McCarthy-era tactics, asking on social media, "Is McCarthy's witch hunt back?" and noting that the DSA was adopted by the European Parliament and all 27 member states. HateAid described the U.S. decision as "an act of repression" and accused the administration of trying to silence critics; a GDI spokesperson called the measures "an egregious act of government censorship" and "immoral, unlawful and un‑American."
Broader Context
The dispute underscores growing friction between U.S. political actors and European regulators over the global influence of digital rules. Brussels maintains that the DSA is a democratically enacted internal regulation to protect users and market fairness, while some in the U.S. view it as potentially affecting free expression and U.S. companies abroad.
Bottom line: The visa bans have deepened a transatlantic row over internet governance, pitting U.S. officials and some conservatives against EU lawmakers and digital-safety advocates.
Reporting contributors: adc/jj/rh
