The Guardian view on the European Union and Great Technology: Brussels must put the law Editorial
APolitical ny brief that brings with it the certainty close to the future confrontation with Elon Musk should not be envied. But during an interview with him recently with this newspaper, henna virkkunen, the chief official of the European Union in digital policy, was in a bullish mood. “We are very committed to our rules when it comes to the digital world,” said Ms. Ferckconne, who is the European Union Vice -President in charge of technology. “We want to make sure that our digital environment … is fair and is safe and is also democratic.”
Last week, words followed. In the first penalties that were submitted since the establishment of the European Union digital market law, the European Commission has fined Apple worth 500 million euros and 200 million euros, after it found them guilty of unfair commercial practices that took advantage of the “Gate Guard” firmly online. For example, Apple has been sentenced to unfairly restricted by the application developers outside its application store, as it requires a sales reduction.
Difficult work or symbol? It is safe to say that these fines will not keep the company’s accountants awake at night. Apple profit Last year was 344 billion euros. There are also indications that in other regions, Brussels may seek to contact tensions with American technology giants as it seeks to avoid a full trade war with Washington.
separate investigation In X under the auspices of the Digital Services Law – which deals with moderate content – it was found last summer that in a preliminary violation of the rules of the European Union, after Mr. Musk acquired in 2022. No fine has yet been resulted. At the same time, there are increasing concerns that the European Union regulations regarding artificial intelligence, which aim to reduce the risks of misinformation and political manipulation, are at risk of fear. pressure From the Trump administration.
The current volatility of the Atlantic relationships is that a degree of cautious restraint is understood. But bullying from Brussels because of its organization of large technology on behalf of the European Union citizens should resist strongly. Mr. Trump’s first adviser to trade and manufacturing, Peter Navarro, has Poor European digital organization as a non -shared barrier and a form of “Lawfare” against American companies. The truth is more worldly: The dominance of the American market means that technology giants will inevitably be more affected than the efforts made to govern an area now are part of the architecture of daily life.
This task, vital to maintaining a healthy public field, must remain distinct from commercial negotiations preserved with the White House. The easiest saying is perhaps, given the comprehensive assembly of Mr. Trump. However, politicians in the European Union (and the British) should not frighten a tight liberation path with harmful effects on democracy.
Last week’s fines may have been a small beer, but they represent at least a necessary intention. In addition to the investigation of X, the committee has continuous inquiries in Tiktok and Meta, also regarding moderate content. MEPS now Call For those also to be pushed to a result.
This may be an acid test. The Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, explained that the White House intends to serve as a political wing of American large technology, comparison European attempts to combat online information and illegal content to monitor the Soviet era. Mrs. Virkontin must stick to her weapons, and ignore flying from Washington.
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