The European Commission’s ongoing legal challenges against US tech giants like Google and more recently the significant penalties levied against X (formerly Twitter), are necessary assertions of European regulatory sovereignty, according to European Parliament member Andreas Schwab. Speaking to German broadcaster ARD, Schwab, a member of the center-right European People’s Party (EVP), defended the Commission’s methodical approach, acknowledging past delays while emphasizing the ultimate need for accountability.
Schwab’s remarks reflect a hardening stance toward American tech companies operating within the EU, moving beyond mere compliance to active enforcement of European law. He stressed the importance of the EU maintaining the “self-confidence” to uphold its own legal framework, regardless of the size or perceived influence of the companies involved. The recent fines for X, particularly linked to concerns over platform transparency and potential impacts on freedom of expression, represent a crucial moment in clarifying the boundaries of acceptable operation.
The accelerated legal processes now being implemented, Schwab argues, are in the best interest of European users. The immediacy of penalties for non-compliance aims to curtail practices that violate EU law, moving beyond protracted legal battles.
Crucially, Schwab cautioned against framing the situation as a conflict between the US and Europe. While acknowledging the significant investments made by major players like Google, Apple and X within the European market, he insisted the push for regulatory compliance extends to a broader range of American firms. He envisioned a future where adherence to European law is not perceived as adversarial, but as a foundational requirement for sustained business operations within the EU. The remarks signal a broader trend: a growing determination within the EU to assert its own regulatory power and shape the operations of global tech platforms within its borders, even at the potential cost of strained transatlantic relations.