US Denies Visas to Ex-EU Commissioner and Additional Figures Over Social Media Regulations

American diplomatic officials announced it would deny visas to a group of five people, including a former EU commissioner, for reportedly seeking to "pressure" American online companies into silencing opinions they oppose.

"These individuals and aggressive non-profits have advanced censorship crackdowns by other governments - in each case focusing on US voices and US firms," stated Secretary of State the official.

The former European tech regulator remarked that a "targeted campaign" was taking place.

Breton was described as the "mastermind" of the European Union's online content law, which enforces speech regulations on digital platforms.

A Divisive Regulation

However, the act has frustrated some US conservatives who see it as seeking to censor 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. Regulators stated the platform's system was "misleading" because the firm was not "meaningfully verifying users".

As a countermove, Musk's site prevented the Commission from making adverts on its platform.

Reactions and Broader Bans

Reacting to the visa ban, Breton posted on X: "Addressing the US: Speech suppression isn't where you think it is."

Another listed individual, who leads 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 exhort suppression and targeting of American speech and press".

A representative for the group said the visa sanctions as "a repressive move on free speech and a blatant example of government censorship".

"These measures today are unethical, unlawful, and un-American," they stated.

Another figure of the an online hate watchdog, a nonprofit that combats online hate and false information, was also handed a ban.

The undersecretary labeled Mr Ahmed a "primary partner with efforts to misuse the state apparatus against American people".

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

In a statement, the two leaders described it as an "attempt to silence by a government that is showing disregard for the legal principles".

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

Policy Justification

Rubio said that action was initiated to enact entry bans on "representatives 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 opposes violations of American sovereignty. Extraterritorial overreach by foreign censors targeting US expression is no exception," he added.