BRUSSELS, December 29 — Former European Union digital chief Thierry Breton has urged the bloc to resist U.S. pressure after the Trump administration imposed a visa ban on him, criticizing what he called weak institutional response to external “predators.”
Who is Thierry Breton & why was he sanctioned?
Thierry Breton is the former European Commissioner for the Internal Market, who served as the EU’s chief digital enforcer until September 2024. Last week, the U.S. administration imposed a visa ban on Breton and several activists, citing their efforts to combat online hate speech through regulation as “censorship” targeting American tech companies. Breton was the primary architect and enforcer of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which sets strict content moderation rules for social media platforms.
What is Breton’s response to the visa ban?
In his first television interview since the sanction, broadcast on France’s TF1 on Sunday, Breton called for a strong EU response. He stated the U.S. action shows Brussels institutions have been “very weak, too weak” while surrounded by “predators.” “They cannot force us to change laws that we voted for democratically just to please” U.S. platforms, Breton said. “No, we must stand up.” He expressed surprise upon learning of the ban and said he received widespread political backing afterward.
What is the core conflict over the Digital Services Act?
The DSA is a landmark EU legislation imposing transparency and accountability requirements on major online platforms regarding illegal and harmful content. As commissioner, Breton regularly had disagreements over compliance with businesses like Elon Musk’s X and Meta. He defended the law, noting it was backed by nearly 90% of EU lawmakers and all member states to protect users, including children. The U.S. administration has framed such regulatory efforts as undue censorship.
What does Breton say about the EU’s position?
Breton argued that the EU has not been strong enough in protecting its legislative sovereignty. His remarks underscore rising transatlantic disputes over digital governance, with EU regulations conflicting with U.S. interests and free speech views. His message to “stand up” is a direct call for the bloc to assert its power more forcefully.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What specific law did Thierry Breton oversee?
A: He was in charge of enforcing the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which governs risk management, advertising transparency, and content moderation for very big online platforms.
Q: Is Breton still an EU commissioner?
A: No. Thierry Breton left the European Commission in September 2024 after completing his term.
Q: What was the U.S. administration’s stated reason for the visa ban?
A: The U.S. decried the targets’ attempts to fight online hate speech as censorship aimed at American technology companies.
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