The co-directors of the non-profit organization HateAid have dismissed U.S. travel bans imposed upon them as an attempt at intimidation, asserting the sanctions demonstrate the organization’s work is striking a nerve. In an interview with “Der Spiegel”, Anna-Lena von Hodenberg and Josephine Ballon suggested the U.S. government’s actions are motivated by economic interests tied to the digital platforms and serve a political agenda.
The U.S. State Department recently announced the entry bans on von Hodenberg and Ballon, alleging censorship on their part. HateAid, founded in 2018, provides support to individuals facing online abuse, defamation and harassment on social media platforms. The timing of the restrictions, just before Christmas, has drawn criticism, with many viewing them as a politically motivated attack.
Ballon highlighted the hypocrisy of the U.S. government, accusing it of leveraging the censorship accusation to silence critics, particularly those questioning Washington’s own policies. “It’s revealing that criticism of U.S. government positions leads to accusations of censorship” she stated, dismissing the official justifications as flimsy and lacking in substance. Both women vehemently deny the allegations against them.
Fears are growing within HateAid that the U.S. government may escalate its actions, potentially involving blocking measures from American service providers. While acknowledging the possibility of further obstacles, Ballon emphasized their resolve, stating, “We will not be intimidated.
The timing of the travel bans arrives amidst heightened pressure from the U.S. government on the European Union to reconsider its digital regulations, particularly the Digital Services Act aimed at curbing illegal hate speech and online incitement. This pressure has become increasingly visible, with U.S. Vice President JD Vance previously suggesting the possibility of re-evaluating American support for NATO if European nations regulate American online platforms like X (formerly Twitter). This escalation underscores concerns that Washington is attempting to undermine European efforts to govern the digital space, potentially leveraging strategic alliances as leverage in the process. The incident raises profound questions about the limits of free speech and the potential for political interference in the work of civil society organizations advocating for online safety.