WASHINGTON — The United States announced a new visa policy aimed at penalizing foreign officials accused of censoring Americans online. Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed the measure Wednesday, warning it could apply to officials regulating U.S.-based tech companies overseas.
Rubio didn’t cite specific cases but highlighted growing tensions with European nations, where U.S. firms and officials have criticized digital regulations like the EU’s Digital Services Act. The act has been labeled by U.S. officials and companies, including Meta, as a tool for censorship.
According to Rubio, the U.S. will restrict visas for individuals involved in censoring content protected under American laws, especially when such censorship reaches into U.S. jurisdiction. He called out what he described as aggressive censorship efforts in Europe, including threats of legal action for social media content posted from U.S. soil.
The new policy reflects broader concerns within the Trump administration about global efforts to control digital speech. U.S. officials have accused several European governments of silencing conservative voices and overstepping bounds in moderating online platforms.
The announcement comes amid trade talks between the EU and the U.S., as Washington threatens steep tariffs on European imports. State Department officials are currently engaging with European leaders on issues of digital freedom, highlighting ongoing friction in transatlantic relations.