Donald Trump's State Department has announced it was prohibiting five European individuals from entering the United States, accusing them of spearheading campaigns to coerce American technology companies into suppressing US viewpoints.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to identify those affected by name, instead describing them as "radical" activists and "weaponised" non-governmental organisations who had violated a visa policy introduced in May targeting foreigners responsible for censoring protected speech in America.
"For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose," Mr Rubio said.
"The Trump Administration will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to identify those affected by name
|GETTY
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
The identities of those barred were subsequently revealed by Sarah Rogers, the Under-Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy, through a series of social media posts.
Among them is Thierry Breton, the former European Union commissioner who oversaw digital affairs, alongside Imran Ahmed, who serves as chief executive of the Centre for Countering Digital Hate.
Two leaders of HateAid, a German organisation focused on combating online hatred, were also named: Josephine Ballon and Anna-Lena von Hodenberg.
Clare Melford, who heads the Global Disinformation Index, completes the list of five individuals now facing entry restrictions to the United States.
Former European Union commissioner Thierry Breton has been barred from the US
|GETTY
According to Mr Rubio's statement, the five individuals advanced foreign government censorship campaigns targeting Americans and US companies, creating what he described as "potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences" for the nation.
The move forms part of a broader administration effort to combat foreign influence over online discourse, deploying immigration law as its primary tool rather than platform regulations or sanctions.
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, those targeted face a general prohibition on entering the United States, with officials noting that individuals already present in the country could potentially be subject to removal proceedings.
Administration officials indicated the list could be expanded should similar foreign actions persist in the future.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
HateAid leaders Josephine Ballon (left) and Anna-Lena von Hodenberg (right) were also named
|HATEAID
The majority of European citizens benefit from the Visa Waiver Program, meaning they typically do not require visas to travel to America.
However, travellers must complete an online application through a Department of Homeland Security system prior to arrival, and a US official, speaking anonymously to discuss unpublicised details, suggested at least some of the five individuals may have been flagged to the department.
The visa restrictions announced this year sit alongside bans affecting visitors from certain African and Middle Eastern nations, as well as the Palestinian Authority.
Today's announcement comes after Ms Rogers set out America's "red line" in an exclusive interview with GB News.
Speaking to the People's Channel earlier this month, Ms Rogers said: "It's misguided and unfortunate to apply the Online Safety Act in Britain.
"But applying that law extra-territorially, which means applying it to speech that has nothing to do with Britain, does not occur in Britain, is on American platforms, by American users on American political issues, purporting to censor Americans in America is a deal breaker.
"It is a non-starter. It is a red line. That is what Ofcom is trying to do with the Online Safety Act.
"And that's one reason that the American government is concerned."
She added: "There's already formal action proposed.
"There is a bill before the House, called the Granite Act.
"That would amend an existing statute to clarify that, as a matter of American public policy, any penalties imposed by Ofcom are unenforceable against American companies.
"Our legislature will likely consider that and will certainly consider other options."
More From GB News