EU’s Thierry Breton Advocates for Independence from US Oversight

Thierry Breton, the former digital chief of the European Union, has called for the bloc to resist United States influence over its social media regulations. Breton’s remarks follow a recent visa ban imposed on him by the Trump administration, which he publicly criticized. In his first televised interview since the ban, aired on the French network TF1, Breton emphasized the need for the EU to uphold its legislative independence in the face of external pressures.

During the interview, Breton described the EU’s response to the US actions as “very weak, too weak,” highlighting the need for a robust stance against what he termed “predators” influencing European legislation. As a former EU commissioner, he played a pivotal role in enforcing the Digital Services Act, which establishes guidelines for content moderation on social media platforms.

In addition to the visa ban affecting Breton, several activists were also targeted. The US government has opposed the EU’s efforts to combat online hate speech, characterizing them as censorship aimed at American technology companies. Breton, who often engaged in disputes with major firms like Elon Musk’s X and Meta Platforms, stated that he received significant political support following the announcement of the visa ban.

Breton firmly asserted, “They cannot force us to change laws that we voted for democratically just to please” US social media platforms. He underscored that nearly 90% of EU lawmakers and all member states backed the legislation he presented to protect users, particularly vulnerable groups such as children and teenagers.

The visa ban, which he learned about unexpectedly, has troubled Breton, especially given the broad consensus among EU legislators on the issues at hand. He left the European Commission in September 2024, but his commitment to safeguarding European digital policy remains unwavering.

The situation reflects the ongoing tension between the EU and US regarding regulatory approaches to digital platforms. As the EU pushes forward with its Digital Services Act, Breton’s remarks signal a determination to maintain autonomy in shaping its digital landscape despite external challenges.