The US State Department announced visa denials for five individuals, including former EU commissioner Thierry Breton, for attempting to pressure American social media platforms to suppress opposing viewpoints. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized foreign activists and NGOs for promoting censorship against American speakers. Breton, who has been involved in the EU's Digital Services Act, faced backlash from US conservatives. The visa ban has been described as an authoritarian attack on free speech by affected parties, including Clare Melford and Imran Ahmed. Teljes cikk (bbc.com europe)