A major diplomatic spat just erupted between the US and Germany, centering on the hot-button issue of online free speech and tech regulation. The US State Department has controversially denied visas to five prominent European tech figures, sparking outrage across the Atlantic.
Among those targeted is Thierry Breton, the former top tech regulator for the European Commission and the “mastermind” behind the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). This powerful EU law aims to rein in large social media platforms by setting strict standards for content moderation and transparency. Also impacted are members of HateAid, a German non-profit, and leaders from other groups like the Center for Countering Digital Hate and the Global Disinformation Index.
Washington’s reasoning? They accuse these individuals of promoting “censorship crackdowns” that unfairly target American speakers and companies. Essentially, the US sees the DSA and similar efforts as an infringement on free speech and a threat to its tech giants.
Germany, however, isn’t having it. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul immediately condemned the visa bans as “not acceptable,” firmly stating that the DSA was democratically adopted for the EU and “does not have extraterritorial effect.” HateAid went further, labeling the US move an “act of repression” and vowing not to be intimidated.
This latest escalation follows increased US scrutiny of EU regulations, especially after Brussels recently fined Elon Musk’s X for violating DSA rules. It’s clear this is more than just a visa dispute; it’s a battle over who gets to set the rules for the global digital landscape and where the lines of free speech truly lie.
