The United States has denied visas to five individuals, including former European Union commissioner Thierry Breton, over allegations they sought to pressure American social media companies to censor content. The US State Department said the affected individuals attempted to coerce US-based platforms into suppressing viewpoints they oppose.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the group as part of a “global censorship-industrial complex” targeting American speakers and companies. Breton, the EU’s former top technology regulator, was identified as a key architect of the Digital Services Act, which mandates content moderation on social media platforms and has faced criticism from US conservatives.
Reacting to the decision, Breton said on X that a “witch hunt was underway,” adding that censorship “is not where you think it is.” Others affected include Clare Melford of the Global Disinformation Index and German digital rights leaders Anna-Lena von Hodenberg and Josephine Ballon, while Rubio said the move reflects President Trump’s “America First” policy.