European Union’s Big Tech battle

The European Union (EU) has long prided itself on being a global leader in the regulation of Big Tech, with initiatives like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the more recent Digital Markets Act (DMA) and Digital Services Act (DSA). These frameworks are seen as trailblazing attempts to curb the monopolistic tendencies and societal harms posed by major technology firms. But even as the EU ramps up enforcement, a curious countercurrent is emerging: figures with ties to Big Tech are stepping into positions of influence within the EU’s regulatory ecosystem. This raises the question: is the EU at risk of softening its stance on the tech giants, and what would that mean for global efforts to regulate them?