Overview
- The State Department named five people: HateAid leaders Anna-Lena von Hodenberg and Josephine Ballon, former EU commissioner Thierry Breton, CCDH chief Imran Ahmed, and GDI co-founder Clare Melford.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused them of trying to force U.S. platforms to suppress American viewpoints and warned the blacklist could grow without a course correction.
- Germany rejected the allegations as inacceptable, with Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig saying Europe’s digital rules are not decided in Washington, while France condemned the move and Breton called it a “witch hunt.”
- HateAid labeled the bans an act of repression and said it is assessing risks such as possible blocks by U.S. service providers, as reports say Ahmed could face deportation because he resides in Washington.
- The dispute centers on EU enforcement of the Digital Services Act, including a reported €120 million fine on X, as the targeted groups deny censorship and say they uphold lawful online standards.