The U.S. Department of State has imposed visa restrictions on five European figures, including a former European Union commissioner and several activists, accusing them of orchestrating efforts to pressure U.S. technology platforms to censor Americans’ free speech.
The move, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Dec. 23, drew swift condemnation from the EU, France, and Germany, further straining transatlantic relations over digital regulation and free expression.
The travel restriction announcement comes amid U.S. opposition to the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), a landmark law that European officials say is meant to combat hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation, but which Washington and other critics say stifles free speech and imposes costs on U.S. tech companies….