Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) CEO Elon Musk commented on the US decision to impose travel restrictions on five European officials, including the former EU commissioner Thierry Bretona longtime critic who previously clashed with Musk over content regulation.
“Tyranny Breton gets his dessert,” Musk wrote on X, in response to reports about the US travel bans.
During his tenure as EU Commissioner, Thierry Breton called on Musk to uphold the demands of the European Union Digital Services Actwhich sets EU-wide rules for online intermediaries such as social media platforms, marketplaces and app stores, regarding moderation of online content and platform responsibilities.
EU response
The European Commission has condemned the US decision. “Freedom of expression is a fundamental right in Europe and a shared core value with the United States,” the Commission said.
Stressing its sovereign right to regulate economic activity, the Commission said the EU’s digital rules guarantee a safe and fair environment for all businesses.
The country has also sought clarification from US authorities and vowed to respond decisively to defend its regulatory autonomy.
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President of the European Council Antonio Costa criticized the measures, calling them “unacceptable between allies, partners and friends”.
Action by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The travel restrictions were supported by US officials, including the Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and State Secretary Marco Rubiociting concerns that foreign entities would restrict American freedom of expression.
On Wednesday, Breton defended the EU’s digital regulations in response, noting that 90% of the European Parliament and all 27 member states voted unanimously in favor of the Digital Services Act.
“Censorship is not where you think it is,” Breton wrote on X, calling the US sanctions a “witch hunt.”
The other four officials subject to U.S. travel restrictions are Imran Ahmed of the Center for Combating Digital Hate, Clare Melford of the Global Disinformation Index, and Anna-Lena von Hodenberg And Josephine Balloon from HateAid.
In early December, the EU imposed a €120 million ($140 million) fine on Elon Musk’s X Platform for violating the bloc’s online content rules.
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Disclaimer: This content was produced in part using AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga’s editorial staff.
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