Washington DC [US], December 25: European powers on Wednesday sharply criticized entry bans imposed by the United States on five Europeans accused of censoring online platforms, warning the move could trigger countermeasures and further strain trans-Atlantic relations.
The US State Department on Tuesday imposed travel bans on former EU commissioner Thierry Breton and four civil society campaigners, including the heads of the German organization HateAid, accusing them of promoting "extraterritorial censorship" of US-based online services.
The European Commission said it "strongly condemned" the sanctions and had requested clarification from Washington. "If needed, we will respond swiftly and decisively to defend our regulatory autonomy against unjustified measures," the commission said, without specifying possible steps.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called the US measures unacceptable, stressing that the DSA was democratically adopted and applies only within the European Union.
Source: Qatar Tribune
