Washington, DC – The United States today announced a ban on entry to its territory for former French European Commissioner Thierry Breton. This decision is part of a series of sanctions targeting several European figures accused of “pressuring American technology companies to censor content.”
The US decision came as part of a policy aimed at curbing what it described as “extraterritorial censorship” on American social media platforms. This decision has sparked widespread discontent in Europe.
France strongly condemned the decision, deeming it “unjustified and an infringement on European sovereignty.” This came in statements by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, who emphasized that the European Digital Services Act was adopted democratically and does not extend beyond the European Union.
Breton responded to the decision via his X account, describing the move as an unjustified political witch hunt. He emphasized that European law has the support of the European Parliament and member states, and its aim is to regulate content in a way that respects fundamental rights.
The decision has sparked new tension in transatlantic relations between Washington and the European Union, amid escalating disputes over freedom of expression and technology regulation.
