The United States has taken a dramatic step in an escalating transatlantic dispute over online content moderation, denying visas to a former top European Union official and four other individuals. The US State Department announced the sanctions on Tuesday, accusing the group of attempting to "coerce" American social media companies into censoring viewpoints they oppose.
Targeting the 'Mastermind' of EU Digital Rules
The most prominent figure targeted is Thierry Breton, the former European Commissioner for the Internal Market. Breton, who served until 2024, was a key architect and enforcer of the EU's landmark Digital Services Act (DSA). The US statement described him as the "mastermind" behind the legislation, which imposes strict content moderation, transparency, and user protection requirements on major platforms operating in Europe.
The State Department's announcement framed the action as a defense of American free speech. "These radical activists and weaponized NGOs have advanced censorship crackdowns by foreign states -- in each case targeting American speakers and American companies," the department said. Breton frequently clashed with tech leaders like Elon Musk over compliance with EU regulations.
A Deepening Transatlantic Rift
The Digital Services Act has become a focal point of tension. US conservatives, in particular, view it as a tool for censoring right-wing political thought across Europe. The EU vehemently denies this, stating the law's goals are to protect users, especially children, from harmful content and to make platform algorithms more accountable.
The DSA mandates that large platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Meta's Facebook, and others must clearly explain content removal decisions, provide data access to researchers, and assess systemic risks their services might pose.
Outcry and Comparisons to McCarthyism
Thierry Breton responded forcefully to the US visa ban on the social media platform X. He condemned the move as a "witch hunt" and drew a stark historical parallel, comparing it to the McCarthy era in the US, a period in the 1950s marked by intense anti-communist suspicion and blacklisting.
"To our American friends: Censorship isn't where you think it is," Breton wrote, pushing back against the US accusations. His statement underscores the profound philosophical and regulatory divide that now exists between some US policymakers and EU regulators on the future of the open internet and the responsibilities of tech giants.
This visa denial action represents a significant escalation from diplomatic disagreement to direct personal sanction, potentially setting a new precedent for how governments may retaliate in conflicts over digital sovereignty and online governance. The fallout is likely to impact ongoing cooperation between the US and EU on a wide range of technology and trade issues.
