The United States has barred five Europeans, including former European Commissioner Thierry Breton, from entering the country, accusing them of pressuring tech companies to suppress American viewpoints.
Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, stated that the individuals targeted with visa restrictions have been involved in “organized efforts to coerce American platforms to censor, demonetize, and suppress American viewpoints they oppose”. He described them as “radical activists and weaponized NGOs” advancing foreign-led censorship initiatives against US companies and speakers.
The visa bans were implemented under the Immigration and Nationality Act, a mechanism that generally prevents targeted individuals from entering the United States and could lead to removal proceedings for those already in the country.
The five individuals affected are – Thierry Breton, former EU Commissioner for the Internal Market (2019–2024), Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Centre for Countering Digital Hate, Josephine Ballon and Anna-Lena von Hodenberg, leaders of HateAid, a German nonprofit, Clare Melford, co-founder of the Global Disinformation Index
Breton and the others have been associated with the implementation and promotion of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which is designed to combat online hate, disinformation, and harmful content. US officials argue that the DSA disproportionately impacts American tech firms and stifles free speech.
In response to the announcement, Breton posted on social media, questioning the move as a “witch hunt,” while the Global Disinformation Index condemned the US action as “immoral, unlawful, and an authoritarian attack on free speech.”
The Trump administration, which initiated the visa restrictions, has increasingly framed European digital regulations as a threat to American speech, using immigration law to target foreign actors rather than relying solely on platform oversight or economic sanctions.
Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers described Breton as “a mastermind” behind the DSA and accused the group of fostering censorship of American voices.
The move marks a sharp escalation in tensions over European regulations aimed at combating hate speech and misinformation online.
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