Thierry Breton

Thierry Breton is a former EU commissioner and one of the key figures behind the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA). The DSA aims to regulate American tech companies, particularly concerning harmful content, hate speech, and misinformation online. Breton's involvement in pushing for these regulations has made him a target of criticism, particularly from some US politicians who view the DSA as an attack on free speech and the economic interests of Silicon Valley. He is newsworthy because the US State Department recently imposed a visa ban on him and four other Europeans involved in similar tech regulation efforts. This action has sparked condemnation from European leaders, including Emmanuel Macron, who view it as coercion and intimidation. The visa ban and the ensuing controversy highlight the escalating tensions between the US and Europe over tech regulation and its implications for free speech and digital sovereignty.