US-EU tech censorship row: Trump bars 5 Europeans over 'censoring Americans' – EU threatens retaliation

US-EU tech censorship row: Trump bars 5 Europeans over 'censoring Americans' – EU threatens retaliation

The Trump administration has barred five European citizens from entering the United States, accusing them of "censoring US citizens online." The move has sparked a transatlantic row, with the European Union threatening "consequences" and the researcher accusing tech giants of "sociopathic greed."

Key points

• Five European citizens, including a British researcher who campaigns against online hate speech, have been barred from entering the US.
• The Trump administration accuses them of "censoring US citizens online."
• The European Union has warned of "consequences" and is considering retaliatory measures.
• The researcher has accused tech giants of "sociopathic greed" and called for a "digital non-alignment movement."

"We are not going to allow foreign nationals to censor American citizens," a senior Trump administration official told reporters. "This is a matter of national security."

The European Union has responded with a warning that it will "not hesitate to take appropriate measures" if the US continues to target European citizens. The British researcher, who has been leading a campaign against online hate speech, has accused tech giants of "sociopathic greed" and called for a "digital non-alignment movement."

The row has sparked fears of a wider trade war between the US and the EU, with some experts warning that the situation could escalate and lead to a full-blown trade war. The EU has already hinted at possible retaliatory measures, including tariffs on US tech giants.

"This is a dangerous escalation," said one EU official. "We are not going to stand by while the US targets our citizens."

The Trump administration has been increasingly critical of what it sees as censorship by social media companies, including European citizens who have been involved in efforts to combat online hate speech. The administration has also been critical of the European Union's approach to tech regulation.

The European Union has said it is "deeply concerned" by the US move and is "considering all options" in response. The British researcher has accused tech giants of "sociopathic greed" and called for a "digital non-alignment movement" in response to the US's actions.

The row has also sparked a debate about the role of tech companies in regulating online content and the balance between free speech and preventing the spread of hate speech. The European Union has said it will "not hesitate to take appropriate measures" if the US continues to target European citizens. The researcher has accused tech giants of "sociopathic greed" and called for a "digital non-alignment movement" in response to the US's actions.