Europe

The EU’s Digital Markets Act was sold as a blueprint for fairness and innovation. But instead of fostering competition, the DMA risks turning Europe into a regulatory island—more isolated, less competitive, and increasingly irrelevant on the world stage.

Schleswig-Holstein’s move to drop Microsoft for open-source tools reflects costly digital protectionism driven by politics, not practicality. EU governments should focus on evidence-based tech procurement over nationalist agendas.

France may label certain social media platforms as porn sites to enforce age checks, a move that misrepresents platform use and raises privacy, free speech, and regulatory concerns.

It is critical that, in tackling both these issues, the EU avoids engaging in digital protectionism, which would harm European competitiveness further.

The Center welcomes the European Commission’s ambition to accelerate the uptake of AI across the economy and public sector as part of its broader AI continent action plan.

Germany’s new coalition government has created a central digital ministry to finally accelerate its slow-moving AI agenda, aiming to modernize public services and support AI innovation. But success hinges on whether it prioritizes practical reform over symbolic sovereignty, especially amid EU regulations and global competition.

Lilla Nóra Kiss speaks on the Digital Markets Act at the TalTech Legal Lab Annual Research Forum.

Lilla Nóra Kiss speaks on the legal and economic ramifications of the Digital Markets Act at the Università del Salento.

The European Commission is seemingly oblivious to concerns about innovation and user experience as it forces through DMA decisions against Apple and Google.

EU policymakers frame their legislative and regulatory actions against U.S. tech companies as measures to promote competition and protect consumers. But they operate as protectionist trade barriers and revenue-generating mechanisms.