According to Margrethe Vestager, EU antitrust chief, a deal could be reached between EU countries to require tech giants to take more responsibility for the content of their platforms.
Vestager introduced the Digital Services Act (DSA) in just over a decade. This requires tech giants to do more than ever to combat illegal content. Or risk fines of up to 6% on their global turnover.
EU legislators and countries are currently hammering out the details. The debate about the definition of an online market is subject to the rules for banning targeted ads.
“There is strong momentum to get things done. The leadership of France may enable us to finish the Digital Services Act by the end of April. Vestager said that it was possible if we work hard and are lucky that it might be possible.” Vestager spoke to Reuters in an interview.
Vestager secured last week the approval of EU countries and EU legislators for her landmark proposal, the Digital Markets Act. It targets Google, Amazon, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft.
The DMA outlines a list and deadlines for companies that are designated as online gatekeepers. They have six months to adhere to the rules. However, businesses feel that this is too complex for such short timeframes.
Vestager stated that there would not be any extension because companies are well aware of anti-competitive practices.
She said, “Actually, both I and the companies should be happy that we have six months because that was intensively discussed during negotiations.”
“And because both the prohibitions as well as the obligations come from established case law I don’t think they are any big surprise.”
Vestager was asked if the DMA would apply to non-U.S. tech companies. He replied: “It’s possible, but I don’t understand.”
According to observers, booking.com and Alibaba could be affected by the new rules.