Germany German government: US sanctions against HateAid unacceptable
The EU Commission and representatives of the German government have rejected accusations of censorship by the US government and sharply criticized entry bans against the directors of the German advice centre HateAid, which campaigns against hate on the internet, and other Europeans. "The rules by which we in Germany and Europe want to live in the digital space are not decided in Washington," explained Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD) in Berlin. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) called the entry bans unacceptable.
24.12.2025, 14:24
SDA
French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X: "These measures amount to intimidation and coercion aimed at undermining European digital sovereignty." The provisions of the Digital Services Act (DSA), which regulates online platforms in the EU, were adopted through a democratic process and should not be determined from outside Europe. The point is that what is illegal offline is also illegal online.
EU Commission threatens USA over entry bans
Ursula von der Leyen's EU Commission threatened retaliatory measures. The decision by the USA is condemned in the strongest terms and clarifications have been requested, the authority announced in Brussels. If necessary, it will react quickly and decisively to defend the right to set its own rules. The EU Commission did not initially explain exactly how it might react to the travel bans.
Wadephul: Everything that is illegal offline is also illegal online
The German Foreign Minister wrote on X that the Digital Services Act, which has been sharply attacked by the US government, ensures "that everything that is illegal offline is also illegal online". It was democratically decided by the European Union for the EU and does not have an extraterritorial effect, Wadephul emphasized. "We want to clarify other views with the USA in transatlantic dialog in order to strengthen our partnership."
HateAid speaks of "act of repression"
The US government had justified the entry bans against HateAid managing directors Josephine Ballon and Anna-Lena von Hodenberg, as well as three other Europeans, with alleged censorship of US online platforms. In an initial reaction, Ballon and von Hodenberg spoke of an "act of repression".
Former French EU Commissioner Thierry Breton, who is considered one of the architects of the Digital Services Act, is also affected by the entry ban. The legislative package and its practical application - described in the case of Platform X by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as an "attack on all American tech platforms and the American people by foreign governments" - is intended to prevent the creation of a lawless space on the internet.
Breton compared the US sanctions to the "witch hunt" for alleged communists during the infamous McCarthy era in the US, when many people were unjustly targeted by the state. On Platform X, he wrote: "To our American friends: censorship is not where you think it is."
EU digital laws are a thorn in the side of the US government
The US government has long been calling for changes to the strict EU digital laws, which, for example, are intended to prevent the spread of false information via platforms such as X and also affect companies such as Amazon, Apple and Meta (Facebook), Alphabet (Google) and Microsoft. The EU Commission repeatedly emphasizes that these are only intended to guarantee fair competition and the protection of children and democratic elections.
The Digital Services Act (DSA), for example, obliges platforms to offer simple procedures for reporting illegal content, goods or services. They must also take measures to protect minors from gambling or pornography.
Ministry: Promotion of HateAid, but no influence
In Berlin, German Justice Minister Hubig explained that HateAid makes an important contribution to ensuring that personal rights are also protected in the digital space. "Anyone who describes this as censorship is misrepresenting our constitutional system." According to Hubig's ministry, HateAid has been funding counseling for those affected by digital violence since 2020. The final decision on whether and to what extent organizations are funded is made by the budget legislator, i.e. the Bundestag. The ministry has no influence on the management of HateAid.
Nouripour calls for the US representative to be summoned
Omid Nouripour, Vice President of the Bundestag, called for the chargé d'affaires of the US embassy in Germany, Alan Meltzer, to be summoned. "This is about protecting German citizens," said the Green politician. The formal summons is considered a harsh diplomatic measure by which the government of the host country signals a clear disgruntlement.
HateAid: USA questions Europe's sovereignty
When asked by dpa about the entry ban, HateAid managing directors Ballon and von Hodenberg explained: "We are not surprised. It is an act of repression by a government that is increasingly disregarding the rule of law and trying to silence its critics with the utmost severity." The US government is trying by all means to prevent US companies in Europe from having to comply with the law and is thus "calling European sovereignty into question". A new level of escalation has thus been reached.
HateAid offers psychological and legal support for people who are discriminated against, insulted, threatened or attacked on the internet. In October, von Hodenberg was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for her work. At the time, she was said to have done pioneering work with the founding of HateAid in 2018.
US government targets Musk critics
The US government also imposed sanctions on the founder of the British Global Disinformation Index (GDI), Clare Melford, and the founder of the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), Imran Ahmed, who works in the US and the UK. According to the organization, the Brit lives in Washington and is now facing deportation from the USA. Both are campaigning against hate and disinformation on the internet. X owner Elon Musk had described the Center for Countering Digital Hate as a "criminal organization".
