The United States State Department has announced visa bans on a former European Union commissioner and four others, accusing them of pressuring American social media companies to suppress certain viewpoints. The move specifically targets Thierry Breton, a key architect of the European Union's Digital Services Act, which sets content moderation and transparency requirements for major online platforms. The State Department described these individuals as advancing censorship efforts by foreign governments, particularly against American speakers and businesses. The European Union has rejected claims that its regulations are intended to stifle political speech, emphasizing the legislation's focus on transparency and user protection.