Will relaxing tech regulations benefit users or Big Tech?
In the media image: BoliviaInteligente on Unsplash
The EU wants to simplify digital legislation, but opponents warn of a dangerous concession to US tech companies. Reijer Passchier, Assistant Professor in Constitutional Law and Professor of Digitalisation and the Democratic Rule of Law (OU), says it gives ‘free rein to Big Tech.’
The reason to relax the legislation is the perceived excess of regulations related to AI. One aim, for example, is to reduce cookie banners to improve user convenience. European companies would also have more time for innovation and scaling up their activities. According to the European Commission, this will give European business an advantage.
Passchier says that the drive to make these changes is clearly coming from the US. ‘An omnibus bill is actually intended to fix minor flaws in legislation. But this is not how it’s being used here. This amounts to a major attack on the fundamental principles of privacy law. Europe is effectively giving free rein to Big Tech.’
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Read the full article in De Volkskrant newspaper (€, in Dutch)