“While each country has the right to set its own visa rules, we support laws and institutions that protect the internet from the most harmful content,” reads a statement from a British government spokesman, quoted by Reuters.
“Social media platforms should not be used to disseminate child sexual abuse material, content inciting hatred and violence or false information,” he stressed.
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What sanctions has the US imposed on European officials?
Who has been banned from entering the USA?
How did the UK government react to the US actions?
What does the British government spokesman's statement say?
The US imposes sanctions on European officials for fighting hate speech
The US Department of State on Tuesday announced the imposition of visa restrictions on five people. They included: former EU Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton, British citizens Imran Ahmed, director of the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), and Clare Melford, head of the Global Disinformation Index (GDI), as well as Anna-Lena von Hodenberg and Josephine Ballon from the German organization HateAid. The US ministry described these people as “radical activists” who want to force American internet platforms to accept censorship.
The Department of State accused Breton of being the originator of the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), which regulates the operation of online platforms and search engines, including combating disinformation and ensuring the transparency of advertising, including political advertising.
Earlier, the decision to ban five people from entering the US was condemned by, among others, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of France Emmanuel Macron.
