Washington (USA), 24 December (LaPresse) – The United States has announced sanctions against five European figures involved in regulating the technology sector, including former European Commissioner Thierry Breton, who has been banned from entering the country. The State Department justified the measure by stating that their actions amount to “censorship” to the detriment of American interests. A statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio reads, "The State Department is taking decisive action against five individuals who have led organised efforts to coerce American platforms into censoring, demonetising, and suppressing American viewpoints they disagree with. These radical activists and the NGOs they exploit have promoted censorship by foreign states, targeting American speakers and companies in every case.‘ Therefore, Rubio continues, ’I have determined that their entry, presence, or activities in the United States have potentially serious negative consequences for US foreign policy."