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US backs sanctions on Europeans over alleged digital censorship
(MENAFN) The United States has defended its decision to sanction several European individuals, citing concerns that “extraterritorial censorship of Americans” threatens free speech and innovation, according to US Undersecretary of State Sarah Rogers.
Last week, Washington imposed sanctions on five people, including British nationals Imran Ahmed and Clare Melford, German citizens Anna-Lena von Hodenberg and Josephine Ballon, and former EU Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the individuals “led organized efforts to coerce American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose.”
In an interview, Rogers emphasized that the sanctions are intended to safeguard free expression and protect the competitiveness of the US technology sector. “These are people who, in many cases, took government money to destroy American businesses for the purpose of suppressing American speech,” she said.
“These are, ultimately, serious decisions that rest with the Secretary of State and take into account all of our foreign policy priorities. But free speech is one of those priorities, and so is the continued ability of the American tech sector to lead and innovate,” Rogers added.
The measures come amid escalating tensions between the US and the EU over online speech rules, digital platform governance, and the extraterritorial reach of European laws. Elon Musk, whose platform X was fined roughly €120 million ($140 million) by EU regulators for alleged violations of the Digital Services Act, welcomed the sanctions, calling the action “so great.” He had previously criticized the EU as a “bureaucratic monster” and accused Brussels of attempting to pressure X into censoring content.
The sanctions drew criticism from some European leaders. French President Emmanuel Macron, who appointed Breton, described the move as “coercion and intimidation,” while UK Labour MP Chi Onwurah argued that punishing individuals over speech disputes undermines the free speech the US claims to defend.
Washington’s latest National Security Strategy also reflected the rift, warning that the EU faces potential “civilizational erasure” due to restrictions on free expression, suppression of political opposition, and regulatory pressure on innovation.
Last week, Washington imposed sanctions on five people, including British nationals Imran Ahmed and Clare Melford, German citizens Anna-Lena von Hodenberg and Josephine Ballon, and former EU Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the individuals “led organized efforts to coerce American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose.”
In an interview, Rogers emphasized that the sanctions are intended to safeguard free expression and protect the competitiveness of the US technology sector. “These are people who, in many cases, took government money to destroy American businesses for the purpose of suppressing American speech,” she said.
“These are, ultimately, serious decisions that rest with the Secretary of State and take into account all of our foreign policy priorities. But free speech is one of those priorities, and so is the continued ability of the American tech sector to lead and innovate,” Rogers added.
The measures come amid escalating tensions between the US and the EU over online speech rules, digital platform governance, and the extraterritorial reach of European laws. Elon Musk, whose platform X was fined roughly €120 million ($140 million) by EU regulators for alleged violations of the Digital Services Act, welcomed the sanctions, calling the action “so great.” He had previously criticized the EU as a “bureaucratic monster” and accused Brussels of attempting to pressure X into censoring content.
The sanctions drew criticism from some European leaders. French President Emmanuel Macron, who appointed Breton, described the move as “coercion and intimidation,” while UK Labour MP Chi Onwurah argued that punishing individuals over speech disputes undermines the free speech the US claims to defend.
Washington’s latest National Security Strategy also reflected the rift, warning that the EU faces potential “civilizational erasure” due to restrictions on free expression, suppression of political opposition, and regulatory pressure on innovation.
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