U.S. Blocks Entry of Former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton and Four Activists Over Alleged Online Censorship

Washington imposed visa restrictions on five European figures on Wednesday, citing their alleged efforts to pressure social-media companies into removing content posted by U.S. users. The group includes Thierry Breton, who oversaw the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA) as internal market commissioner from 2019 to 2024, and four campaigners involved in anti-disinformation initiatives.

Announcing the decision, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the individuals “led organized efforts to coerce American platforms to censor, demonetize, and suppress American viewpoints.” Under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the determination allows the United States to deny visas when an applicant’s presence is considered to have potentially serious adverse foreign-policy consequences.

Who Is Affected

Alongside Breton, the State Department named Josephine Ballon and Anna-Lena von Hodenberg, co-leaders of German nonprofit HateAid, as well as two other activists whose identities were not disclosed in the original statement. Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers later confirmed the names of Ballon and von Hodenberg on the social platform X. All five are now “generally barred” from travel to the United States, according to the department.

European Response

EU institutions reacted sharply. The European Commission released a statement saying it “strongly condemns” the visa bans, emphasizing that freedom of expression is a fundamental right in both Europe and the United States. The Commission added that the EU “has the sovereign right to regulate economic activity in line with our democratic values and international commitments.”

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed that position on X, writing that freedom of speech is “the foundation of our strong and vibrant European democracy” and pledging to defend it. French President Emmanuel Macron also criticized the U.S. move, describing it as “intimidation and coercion aimed at undermining European digital sovereignty.”

Context of the Dispute

The DSA, which came into full effect during Breton’s tenure, tightens obligations on large platforms such as Google and Meta to remove illegal content promptly or face penalties that can reach up to 6 percent of global annual revenue. Washington’s decision arrives amid broader transatlantic friction over how national regulations apply to U.S. tech firms operating worldwide.

Rubio’s statement accused “radical activists and weaponized NGOs” of advancing “censorship crackdowns by foreign states” that extend beyond Europe’s borders. The line reflects a growing concern inside some parts of the U.S. government that non-U.S. legislation is restricting speech by Americans on services hosted in the United States.

The current administration has stepped up travel curbs for specific categories of foreigners, a trend that predates this episode. Legal observers note that visa denials on foreign-policy grounds are rare but not unprecedented. The State Department issued similar bans in the past against officials linked to alleged human-rights abuses or corruption. A public explainer on the practice is available on the State Department’s website.

Imagem: Internet

Breton Rejects Accusations

The former commissioner reacted quickly, posting, “Is McCarthy’s witch hunt back?” on X. He pointed out that the DSA passed with support from 90 percent of the European Parliament and unanimous approval by all 27 EU member states. “Censorship isn’t where you think it is,” he added.

Implications for Tech Regulation

The controversy highlights the clash between differing regulatory philosophies. While Brussels insists that measures such as the DSA merely extend offline legal standards to the digital realm, officials in Washington see extraterritorial overreach when U.S. citizens or companies are affected. The debate is mirrored in the United Kingdom, where the Online Safety Act (OSA) introduces age-verification requirements and other obligations for platforms hosting user-generated content.

Under Secretary Rogers recently described the OSA as another instance of “extraterritorial censorship of Americans” during an interview with GB News. She suggested that similar criteria could trigger future visa actions if U.S. speech is curtailed by foreign laws enforced on U.S. soil.

Next Steps

The European Commission has requested formal clarification from U.S. authorities regarding the legal basis for the visa denials and their scope. Diplomatic channels remain open, but officials in Brussels indicated that they expect the matter to feature prominently in upcoming EU-U.S. trade and technology council discussions.

Meanwhile, the five sanctioned individuals must cancel any immediate travel plans to the United States. Visa ineligibility can be reviewed, yet reversals are uncommon unless the underlying policy assessment changes. Observers are watching to see whether further names will be added or whether allies of those listed will face similar restrictions.

Crédito da imagem: [nome da fonte original]