Overview
- The State Department announced visa restrictions on five people it accuses of organizing efforts to force U.S. social-media companies to censor, demonetize, and suppress American viewpoints.
- Those named by outlets include former EU commissioner Thierry Breton, Imran Ahmed of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, Claire Melford of the Global Disinformation Index, and two staffers from Germany-based HateAid.
- Secretary Marco Rubio said these activists and NGOs implemented censorship measures on behalf of foreign states and that their presence in the United States could carry serious negative foreign-policy consequences.
- U.S. officials said the list could expand if such activities continue, and indicated the Department of Homeland Security could pursue deportation in some cases.
- France and the European Commission condemned the move and sought explanations, while Breton publicly defended the EU’s Digital Services Act and questioned the U.S. decision.