3 Key EU Lawmakers Shaping Tech Policy: What to Expect in 2024-2029
The European Union has reached a political agreement on its new team of 26 commissioners who will implement President Ursula von der Leyen’s policy agenda for the next five years. While a final parliamentary vote is pending, the appointments are considered virtually certain to take effect December 1.
Here are three commissioner-designates who will play pivotal roles in shaping EU tech policy through 2029, overseeing digital infrastructure, startup ecosystems, and Big Tech regulation.
Teresa Ribera Rodríguez: The EU’s New Tech Regulator
Executive Vice President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition
As the incoming competition chief, Ribera Rodríguez inherits:
- Oversight of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) enforcement
- Active antitrust investigations against Apple, Meta, and Google
- Authority to impose fines up to 10% of global revenue for violations
Key priorities include:
- Accelerating antitrust enforcement timelines
- Preventing “killer acquisitions” that stifle innovation
- Aligning competition policy with EU climate goals
Notable pending cases:
- Apple’s App Store practices
- Meta’s “pay or consent” data model
- Google’s adtech dominance (potential breakup scenario)
Henna Virkkunen: Championing EU Tech Sovereignty
Executive Vice President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy
Virkkunen’s expansive portfolio covers:
AI & Emerging Technologies
- Implementing the EU AI Act
- Boosting AI innovation through supercomputing access
- Developing quantum computing and semiconductor initiatives
Digital Services Act Enforcement
- Ongoing investigations of X (Twitter), TikTok, and Meta platforms
- Focus on child protection and addictive algorithms
- Potential platform bans for severe violations
Key challenges:
- Balancing innovation with regulation
- Managing tensions with Elon Musk over X’s compliance
- Countering online disinformation campaigns
Ekaterina Zaharieva: Fueling Europe’s Startup Ecosystem
Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation
Zaharieva will drive initiatives to:
- Streamline EU regulations for startups
- Increase venture capital access
- Establish regulatory sandboxes for testing new technologies
Key projects:
- European Innovation Act
- EU Startup and Scale-up Strategy
- Expansion of European Innovation Council programs
Her success will be measured by:
- Growth in European deep tech startups
- Increased R&D investment across member states
- Improved commercialization of academic research
The Road Ahead
These three leaders will shape how the EU:
- Regulates Big Tech dominance
- Competes in global technology races
- Nurtures its startup ecosystem
With major legislation like the DMA and AI Act now in force, their enforcement approaches will set important precedents for digital governance worldwide.
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