Tech giants are too powerful for fines alone – a new approach is needed

For years, the EU has sought to regulate tech giants such as Meta, Google, and TikTok through new rules and multi-billion-euro fines. Yet the problems persist. The Danish Consumer Council, DPCMO, and other organizations have filed numerous complaints concerning scam advertisements, lack of transparency, and non-compliance with EU regulations.

The problem goes beyond fraud. Today, tech giants function as part of society’s digital infrastructure, yet they are not subject to the same level of accountability and consistent oversight as other sectors with comparable influence.

The EU should therefore introduce a licensing system for the largest platforms. Access to the European market should depend on compliance with rules on consumer protection, data security, copyright, and responsibility for content. In cases of repeated or serious violations, a platform’s license should be suspended or revoked.

As the Digital Services Act is set to be reviewed next year, this should mark the beginning of a new approach to regulating dominant digital platforms.

Read the op-ed by the director of the Danish Consumer Council and DPCMO: https://www.altinget.dk/eu/artikel/techgiganterne-er-for-store-til-boeder-vi-har-brug-for-staerkere-midler