US imposes visa restrictions to combat global censorship industrial network

The United States has announced measures targeting the so-called global censorship-industrial complex, introducing visa restrictions on several foreign individuals.

According to the US State Department, Washington is imposing visa sanctions on five people accused of attempting to pressure US technology companies to censor content and restrict freedom of expression, particularly American viewpoints, Caliber.Az reports.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasised that the US will not tolerate extraterritorial actions aimed at limiting free speech or coercing American platforms to remove or block content.

Bloomberg reports the sanctions target former European Union Commissioner Thierry Breton and heads of organisations combating disinformation.

Rubio stressed that these measures are part of a broader strategy under President Donald Trump to protect free speech and counter international networks that Washington believes coordinate digital censorship.

“President Trump has been clear that his America First foreign policy rejects violations of American sovereignty. Extraterritorial overreach by foreign censors targeting American speech is no exception. The State Department stands ready and willing to expand today’s list if other foreign actors do not reverse course,” Rubio concluded.

By Jeyhun Aghazada