During the final months of the Trump administration, five international researchers and regulators focused on combating online disinformation and abuse were unexpectedly barred from entering the United States. This action, revealed in late 2020, raised concerns about the administration's approach to content moderation and its potential impact on global efforts to address online harms.
While the Trump administration did not publicly name the individuals affected, reports indicate they hailed from various countries and held positions within regulatory bodies or research institutions dedicated to understanding and mitigating the spread of disinformation, hate speech, and other forms of online abuse. their work often involved studying the impact of social media platforms on democratic processes and public health.
the ban effectively halted their ability to participate in US-based conferences, collaborate with American researchers, and contribute to ongoing discussions about internet governance. This disruption had a chilling effect on international cooperation in a field increasingly recognized as critical to safeguarding democratic institutions.