Thierry Breton reacts to US visa denial, calling it a “witch hunt.
Former European Commissioner Thierry Breton has called the US decision to deny him a visa a “witch hunt,” after the State Department accused him and four other EU figures of attempting to pressure American tech companies into censoring content.
In a social media post on X on Tuesday, Breton questioned whether “McCarthy’s witch hunt is back?” highlighting the tension between EU regulators and the US over online content rules.
The move comes as the US State Department labeled Breton, a former European tech regulator, as the “mastermind” behind the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA). The legislation sets out strict content moderation rules for major social media platforms operating across Europe.
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The State Department claims Breton and the others sought to “coerce” American tech platforms into limiting speech they disagree with a charge Breton has publicly denied.
The visa denial marks a rare escalation in digital diplomacy, raising concerns about transatlantic tensions over freedom of expression and online regulation.
Experts say the spat could complicate collaboration between the US and EU on tech oversight, especially as both sides navigate issues like disinformation, privacy, and AI governance.
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