That’s because European Commissioner Henna Virkkunen is reportedly under pressure to conclude investigations into Big Tech. This now applies to high-profile players such as TikTok, Meta, and X. From all sides, but most notably from the Socialists, political pressure is being exerted. They are calling on the new EU tech chief to secure meaningful outcomes in the current investigations into these U.S. tech behemoths.
Meanwhile, investigations of TikTok, Meta, and X are heating up. Increasing consumer privacy and data security concerns are fueling this urgency. These probes are a welcome development in light of the dangers that major technology companies, increasingly active in the European ecosystem, can represent. The Socialists’ insistence on swift action reflects a broader sentiment among EU officials that timely results are essential for maintaining public trust in digital governance.
What has made Hungary stand out even more over the past few years is its recent appearances on the EU watchlist. This action follows OPD’s abusive and controversial surveillance practices around Pride events. Recent developments indicate that Budapest is indeed ready to deploy AI facial recognition technology. This latest abbreviation of police power to target specific LGBTQ+ protestors is a further affront to human rights. This decision has brought condemnation and demands for accountability from numerous civil rights groups all over Europe.
As Europe grapples with these pressing issues, experts have highlighted the region’s concerning dependence on China for low-tech chips. Auditors have already warned against this dangerous dependence, calling it a critical danger for Europe’s digital infrastructure. In similar fashion, the EU has adopted ambitious targets to reshore microchip manufacturing within its own borders. Looking at the track record thus far, it appears Brussels has much ground to cover.
The reality exposes a tangled set of issues for the European Commission. It has to avoid the tangled webs of technology regulation and geopolitical discord. As you can imagine, Commissioner Virkkunen is in a tough spot. We need to rein in investigations into big tech companies and the broader impacts from surveillance practices and reliance on foreign supply chains.
As these developments continue to play out, policymakers and practitioners across all sectors will be watching intently to see what the European Commission decides to do. The investigations are likely to determine the future of Europe’s digital privacy laws and human rights protections. How the EU reacts to Hungary’s backdoor surveillance measures will be pivotal as this story continues to evolve.
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