Former European Union commissioner and tech regulator Thierry Breton has sharply criticised a recent decision by the United States to deny him a visa, calling it a politically motivated “witch hunt.”
In a post shared on X yesterday, Breton questioned the intent behind the move, asking pointedly whether the era of McCarthy-style crackdowns had returned. His remarks came shortly after the US State Department announced it would bar him and four others from entering the country.
According to US officials, the decision is linked to allegations that Breton and the others attempted to pressure American social media companies into censoring opinions they disagree with. The State Department framed the move as a response to what it described as efforts to coerce platforms into limiting certain viewpoints.
The announcement has sparked debate on both sides of the Atlantic, reigniting long-standing tensions over free speech, digital regulation, and the role governments should play in overseeing global technology platforms.
At its core, this dispute goes beyond one visa denial. It reflects a deeper struggle over power, influence, and the future of online expression. For many observers, it raises an uncomfortable question: when governments clash over digital rules, who ultimately pays the price — policymakers, platforms, or the public that depends on them?
