"WASHINGTON The State Department announced Tuesday it was barring five Europeans it accused of leading efforts to pressure U.S. tech firms to censor or suppress American viewpoints. The Europeans, characterized by Secretary of State Marco Rubio as "radical" activists and "weaponized" nongovernmental organizations, fell afoul of a new visa policy announced in May to restrict the entry of foreigners deemed responsible for censorship of protected speech in the United States."
"The action to bar them from the U.S. is part of a Trump administration campaign against foreign influence over online speech, using immigration law rather than platform regulations or sanctions. The five Europeans named by Rogers are: Imran Ahmed, chief executive of the Centre for Countering Digital Hate; Josephine Ballon and Anna-Lena von Hodenberg, leaders of HateAid, a German organization; Clare Melford, who runs the Global Disinformation Index; and former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton, who was responsible for digital affairs."
The State Department barred five Europeans accused of leading efforts to pressure U.S. tech firms to censor or suppress American viewpoints. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described them as "radical" activists and "weaponized" nongovernmental organizations and invoked a May visa policy restricting entry of foreigners held responsible for censorship of protected speech. The action deploys immigration authority instead of platform regulation or sanctions as part of a Trump administration campaign against foreign influence over online speech. Sarah Rogers identified the individuals and organizations involved. Named figures include Imran Ahmed, Josephine Ballon, Anna-Lena von Hodenberg, Clare Melford, and former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton. Officials warned of potential adverse foreign policy consequences.
Read at www.npr.org
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