The Trump administration targeted EU figures over platform regulation, triggering backlash from Macron and digital regulators.
The US just escalated its clash with Europe over tech regulation.
The State Department said it has barred five Europeans, including the EU’s former Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton and four members of digital campaign groups, from entering the country over what it called «censorship» of tech platforms.
The visa bans were met with backlash from European leaders on X, who accused Washington of intimidation and political overreach.
The dispute centers on the EU’s Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act, which imposes obligations on major tech platforms — many of which are based in the US — to police content and curb anti-competitive behavior. Companies in breach of it can be fined up to 6% of their global annual revenue.
In a post on X late Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the State Department would block leading figures of what he called «the global censorship-industrial complex» from entering the US.
Every time Thibault publishes a story, you’ll get an alert straight to your inbox!
Stay connected to Thibault and get more of their work as it publishes.
By clicking “Sign up”, you agree to receive emails from Business Insider. In addition, you accept Insider’s
Terms of Service and
Privacy Policy.
«For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led organized efforts to coerce American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose», Rubio wrote. «The Trump Administration will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.»
For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led organized efforts to coerce American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose. The Trump Administration will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.
