US denies visas to EU ex-commissioner, four others over tech rulesWASHINGTON, United States, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - The US State Department said Tuesday it would deny visas to a former EU commissioner and four others, accusing them of seeking to "coerce" American social media platforms into censoring viewpoints they oppose. The measure targeted Thierry Breton, the former top tech regulator at the European Commission, who often clashed with tech tycoons such as Elon Musk over their obligations to follow EU rules. Also subject to the ban were Anna-Lena von Hodenberg and Josephine Ballon of HateAid, a German organization that the State Department said functions as a trusted flagger for enforcing the DSA. The White House last week suspended implementation of a tech cooperation deal with Britain, saying it was in opposition to the UK's tech rules. "President Trump has been clear that his America First foreign policy rejects violations of American sovereignty," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha December 24, 2025 02:59 UTC