The European Union has stood out in recent years for its regulatory role in the technological field. Relying on resources such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA), has financially punished to some of the most powerful American corporations with a presence in the bloc. But this dynamic could change from now on. One of the reasons for this possible turn is the arrival of Donald Trump to the White House.
Financial Time points out that The EU is reviewing its investigations into giants such as Apple, Meta or Google. The information comes from two sources with knowledge of the matter who have decided to remain anonymous. Although some sanctions have already materialized, there are several ongoing cases in various stages of progress. Sources indicate that Brussels will postpone all decisions and, consequently, possible fines against the companies while the review lasts. Technical work, however, will not be affected.
Technology leaders seek Trump’s protection
We are facing information that arises in the midst of complaints from several technology leaders against the fines received in the EU. The protests have reached the ears of Donald Trump. Last year, the president-elect said on a podcast that Tim Cook called him to talk about the sanctions against Apple in the Old Continent, to which the politician responded that he would not let the EU “take advantage” of American companies if he won the elections. His speech continued along those lines after the electoral victory.
Recently it was Mark Zuckerberg’s turn. The CEO of Meta spoke about the “strategic advantage” that it means for the United States to have many of the most sourced companies in the world. He then did not hesitate to state that he was optimistic that Trump could defend them and protested against the EU, saying that American companies paid “more than $30 billion” in fines in recent decades. Two months ago, Meta was fined almost €800 million for violating EU antitrust rules.
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta
However, beyond possible pressure from Trump, other factors could be driving changes in the bloc’s regulatory efforts. Margrethe Vestager’s era as Competition Commissioner has come to an end with the start of the second term of Ursula von der Leyenwhich has recognized that regulations have weighed heavily on startups, suggesting a more lenient scenario in the field of regulation. Of course, we will have to wait to know if it will also reach American firms.
Will we see a change of priorities in the EU? For now, several EU lawmakers have called on the European Commission to stand firm. A spokesman for the Commission told the American newspaper that they remained “fully committed to the effective application” of their rules and that the ongoing cases “are not yet ready at a technical level.” In this sense, he added that it is not being carried out. a review, but confirmed that they are having meetings and that, at the moment, a decision cannot be made on the ongoing cases.
Images | The White House (CC BY 3.0 US) | Guillaume Perigois | Anthony Quintano (CC BY 2.0)
In Xataka | Teresa Ribera assumes the position of Vestager: a Spanish minister facing the enormous challenge of stopping Big Tech in Europe
Add Comment