The European Commission will enforce its digital principles without fearsaid Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.
"The rules voted by our legislators must be enforced," said Ursula von der Leyen in written answers to questions about the EU's commitment to digital principles.
“This is why we opened cases against TikTok, X, Apple, Meta to name only a few. We apply the rules fairly, proportionately and without prejudice. We don't care where the company comes from or who's in charge. We want to defend people," she added.
These comments point to the EU's determination to enforce a comprehensive package of digital rules, which have been powerfully criticised by elder US president Donald Trump's administration.
Vice president J.D. Vance criticised European legislation, specified as the Digital Services Act (DSA), which regulates content, or the Artificial Intelligence Act, arguing that they censor freedom of speech and suppress innovation in Europe.
Penalties for large Tech and US NATO membership
Two months before the U.S. presidential election Vance outlined a direct link between Washington's continued participation in NATO and European digital regulations, saying that the United States can retreat from the alliance if the EU enforces the rules on platforms.
Such force has led to concerns that the EU may refrain from enforcing its rules in order to avoid infuriating the Trump administration, peculiarly during tense discussions on US trade duties in Europe.
The apparent delays in the long-awaited fines, namely the enforcement of the Digital Markets Act — which aims to guarantee a fair digital marketplace — and the DSA reinforced specified concerns, and any officials openly complained about the apparent "politicisation" of the enforcement of large Tech.
The insistence of von der Leyen that the EU will abide by its principles towards each company, "no substance who directs it," repudiates specified criticism. Elon Musk, owner of technology platform X, is 1 of Trump's key supporters and plays a function in his administration as head of the Government's Performance Department.
The European Commission is presently considering possible fines against X after an investigation against the platform was concluded in January. The fresh York Times reported in early April that Brussels would impose a fine of up to $1 billion, although the Commission spokesperson denied these reports.
