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The Digest:

The United States has imposed visa bans on former EU tech commissioner Thierry Breton and four others, accusing them of seeking to “coerce” American social media platforms into censoring viewpoints.

Key Points:
  • The US has denied visas to former EU tech chief Thierry Breton and four other figures.
  • The State Department accused them of advancing “censorship crackdowns” by foreign states.
  • Breton is described as the “mastermind” behind the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA).
  • France condemned the move, insisting the DSA has “no extraterritorial reach.”
  • The DSA requires major platforms to explain content moderation and ensure transparency.
  • The visa ban also targets leaders from anti-hate and disinformation NGOs.
  • US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the action defends against “extraterritorial overreach.”
This visa ban transforms a policy dispute into a personal sanction, framing content regulation as a form of digital sovereignty warfare where visa stamps become the latest weapon in a battle over whose rules govern the global public square.

Sources: Channels Television, AFP