US Bans European Critics in Tech "Censorship" Row

France and the European Union have accused the United States of "coercion and intimidation." The accusation follows a US decision to impose visa bans on five Europeans. The individuals targeted are prominent figures in the movement to regulate American technology companies. They were banned on Tuesday. The most notable person affected is Thierry Breton. He is a former EU commissioner and helped create the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA). This law sets strict rules for online platforms. The other four people are campaigners against online disinformation. Two are from Germany and two are from the United Kingdom. European leaders say the US move is an escalation in a dispute over "censorship." The conflict centers on new EU laws that require major tech firms to control harmful content on their platforms.