Why US sanctioned former EU official, 4 others; what it says about transatlantic tech rift

The United States has sharply escalated its confrontation with Europe over digital regulation, imposing visa sanctions on former European Union officials and leaders of anti-disinformation groups in a move that has drawn swift condemnation from across the Atlantic.

The sanctions, announced on Tuesday by the US State Department, target a former senior EU official and several individuals associated with organisations that monitor online disinformation.

The move reflects mounting frustration in Washington over European efforts to regulate large technology platforms and rein in the influence of Big Tech companies, many of which are American.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the individuals had led “organized efforts to coerce American platforms to censor, demonetize, and suppress American viewpoints they oppose”, accusing them of advancing what he described as foreign-led censorship of American speech and companies.

“These radical activists and weaponized NGOs have advanced censorship crackdowns by foreign states — in each case targeting American speakers and American companies,” Rubio said in a statement.