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Reminder: EU will not break up Big Tech companies under upcoming proposals. That’s just not going to happen.
Those powers are already on the books, there’s no appetite to do it (by those who have power to wield it).
As you were.
Those powers are already on the books, there’s no appetite to do it (by those who have power to wield it).
As you were.
Loving the fact that @EU_Commission hasn’t sent embargoed press releases out to journalists yet, but lobbyists have received them and are sharing them on Twitter.
Bravo, Brussels.
Bravo, Brussels.
Update: press statements still not finalized, discussions within Commissioners ongoing.
This is a great start to “Europe’s digital reboot"
This is a great start to “Europe’s digital reboot"
From @Facebook’s head lobbyist in Brussels.
These. Documents. Have. Not. Been. Sent. To. Journalists/Public. https://twitter.com/AuraSalla/status/1338847993492090880
These. Documents. Have. Not. Been. Sent. To. Journalists/Public. https://twitter.com/AuraSalla/status/1338847993492090880
More updates: “Big Delay” in DMA/DSA announcement, several points still being debated among Commissioners. Won’t start until 16:00 CET, at the earliest.
ICYMI — Brussels is divided on how to police Big Tech https://politi.co/3ng01PP
ICYMI — Brussels is divided on how to police Big Tech https://politi.co/3ng01PP
Meanwhile, this is from aide to @ThierryBreton — glad to see EU officials are staying neutral on these rules… https://twitter.com/Mr_Zakka/status/1338850585903329287
While we’re all waiting, you should check out @AdrienneLaF’s “Facebook is a Doomsday Machine” story in The Atlantic. I think it slightly overplays things, but still worth a read https://bit.ly/3adG0G0
Me growing up: “I want to be a journalist, scouring the globe for truth!” Reality: staring at empty podium while waiting for a video press conference to start.
While we’re waiting let’s go through areas that will be major hurdles for Europe’s digital policymaking reboot (cos what else are you gonna do, amirite?)
<<cue thread>>
<<cue thread>>
First: enforcement. Under the Digital Services Act, it’ll be up to national regulators (where companies are legally HQ’ed) to take first enforcement steps — though @EU_Commission will retain powers to step in, to some degree
And where are most Big Tech companies HQ’ed? Well, Ireland and Luxembourg — two countries that have under-resourced regulators and have shown little appetite to enforce existing digital rules (caveat: Dublin fined @Twitter 450k today for #privacy violations, so…)
Second: timing. It’s not exactly clear who will be considered a gatekeeper company, hence the last-minute negotiations. But whatever comes out, it’ll likely take years to determine that, with legal challenges almost certain.
That on top of at least 2-3 years of hardcore lobbying before Europe’s digital rules come into force.
So it’s not like things are going to change overnight. More like this is the end of the beginning, not the beginning of the end.
So it’s not like things are going to change overnight. More like this is the end of the beginning, not the beginning of the end.
More updates! DSA/DMA still not adopted by Commissioners, several (non-digital) issues to finalize after that. We’re in a holding pattern.
This is like waiting for a new pope. Send me the white smoke!
This is like waiting for a new pope. Send me the white smoke!
OK, embargoed docs landed. We now await the press briefing to start.
Giddy up.
Giddy up.
UPDATE! Announcement now expected between 16:30-16:40 CET — that’s 10 min away.
Go get yourself a cup of coffee. Or gin. Glorious, glorious gin.
Go get yourself a cup of coffee. Or gin. Glorious, glorious gin.
Even the @EU_Commission is breaking its embargo https://twitter.com/vestager/status/1338869405329936385
ICYMI — @vestager & @ThierryBreton have clashed repeatedly on these new rules. https://politi.co/3ng01PP
