US Entry Ban: Five Banned, One Fights Back
Europe - Discontent with digital regulatory measures, the US announced sanctions against five Europeans. Imran Ahmed, the British director of the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, temporarily avoiding the risk of deportation.
Mr. Ahmed submitted a complaint in a New York court on Wednesday, stating that he faces "imminent unconstitutional arrest, punitive detention, and deportation." On Thursday, a judge temporarily blocked his deportation. The first hearing is scheduled for Monday.
The complaint states, "The federal government has clearly stated that Mr. Ahmed is being sanctioned due to his work with the non-governmental organization 'Center for Countering Digital Hate' (CCDH) which he founded and led." The center studies the moderation policies of major social media platforms and has repeatedly criticized the practices of X (formerly Twitter).
The first person targeted by the US entry ban was former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton, who served on the European Commission until 2024 and is considered the designer of the Digital Services Act. This act requires all internet platforms to "immediately" remove "illegal content." If violated, online giants such as Google, Meta, and X could face fines of billions of euros.
In addition to former Commissioner Breton, Anna-Lena von Hodenberg and Josephine Ballon, the two leaders of the German nonprofit organization HateAid, were also subject to visa restrictions. Furthermore, the list of entry bans includes Imran Ahmed, the British director of the US-based Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), and Clare Melford, founder of the Global Disinformation Index (GDI). These individuals and organizations are dedicated to combating online hate speech and disinformation.
According to Mr. Ahmed's complaint, this 47-year-old Afghan-born British citizen has legally resided in the United States since 2021 and holds a green card. His wife and daughter are both American citizens.
In a statement sent to AFP on Thursday, he insisted that he "will not be intimidated or abandon his life's work." Donald Trump is leading a large-scale campaign against EU tech regulations, which impose obligations on platforms, especially regarding reporting problematic content, which the US considers censorship.
After contacting the U.S. Department of State, the department has not yet responded.
Source: rfi
Original: toutiao.com/article/1852523825873991/
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