Visa Denials for Human Rights Defenders and the European Commissioner
The U.S. State Department has decided to impose a travel ban on five Europeans involved in the creation of the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), including former European Commissioner Thierry Breton. In a statement made on December 24 by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, these individuals were labeled as "radical activists" who used their authority to promote repressive measures against American citizens and companies, according to DW.
Rubio emphasized that U.S. President Donald Trump has clearly defined the course of his foreign policy, based on the principle of "America First," which will oppose any attempts to violate American sovereignty. "The extraterritorial overreach of foreign censors will be no exception," he added.
The U.S. Views the DSA as a Form of Censorship Against Conservatives
In the State Department's announcement, Thierry Breton was also referred to as the "architect of the DSA" — a law requiring internet platforms and social networks in Europe to protect users from illegal content, goods, and services, as well as from misinformation and hate speech.
American Republicans insist that the provisions of the DSA and the requirements for social media moderation are measures of censorship against conservative views. However, Brussels rejects such accusations. "Censorship is not where you think it is, dear American friends," Breton wrote on social media platform X in response to news of the U.S. travel ban.
Thierry Breton left his position as European Commissioner for the Internal Market in the fall of 2024 after disagreements with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. He had previously clashed with Elon Musk, the owner of social media platform X, over non-compliance with European norms regarding user rights and data protection.
In December 2025, the European Commission imposed a fine of 120 million euros on social media platform X for insufficient transparency in advertising and user verification, in response to which the platform revoked the European Commission's ability to advertise.
The Trump administration has previously criticized EU digital laws multiple times, and the president threatened to impose new tariffs on imports from countries with laws that he believes "harm" American companies. Nevertheless, the EU continues to insist on compliance with its regulations.
U.S. Sanctions Affect Human Rights Defenders, Including a German NGO
The State Department also imposed visa restrictions on human rights defenders and experts from the UK and Germany who advised the European Commission on the application of the DSA. Among them were the head of the British NGO Global Disinformation Index, Claire Malford, as well as the leaders of the German NGO HateAid, Anna-Lena von Hodenberg and Josephine Ballon, along with the British CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, Imran Ahmed, who may also lose his right to stay in the U.S.
“We will not allow ourselves to be intimidated by a government that uses accusations of censorship to silence those fighting for human rights and freedom of speech,” von Hodenberg and Ballon stated in an interview with dpa.
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