France and the Netherlands are calling for the creation of an...

France and the Netherlands called for the provision of authority in the European Union to regulate large technology companies such as Google and Facebook, whose dominance gives them the status of an effective internet guardian, and this step increases pressure on Commissioner Margaret Westager, who is preparing the new digital services law, to set strict rules for data sharing and to ensure that Markets are fair and open.

The French-Dutch proposal, which calls for precautionary measures to prevent the major technology companies seizing power, overshadowed a meeting of European Union ministers that discussed artificial intelligence and cloud computing.In a joint statement, French Minister of State Cedric O and his Dutch counterpart Mona Keizer said that such authority should be Being able to block technology companies’ platforms from preventing access to their services “unless they have an objective justification.”

“These platforms can impede the entry of new companies and limit the freedom of choice for consumers and businessmen,” said Kejsar, the Dutch Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Climate Policy. “Our common ambition is to design a framework … to address the footprint.” The economic power of such actors on the European economy and the ability to “open it up”.

In response, German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said: “What we are talking about is adherence to our European values ​​and the functioning of our single market.” The European Commission is taking a tough stance against US tech giants, driven in part by antitrust issues that led to decisions that later failed to boost competition. Because these investigations often take several years.

According to the draft bylaw that Reuters reviewed last month, gatekeepers, such as companies with suffocating power or strategic market situation, will not be allowed to use the data collected on their platforms to target users unless this data is shared with competitors. The strength of the digital gatekeepers is one of the issues. That was discussed at an online meeting of the European Union’s telecom and digital ministers hosted by Germany, the current president of the European Union.

25 of the 27 EU member states have signed a declaration on the creation of a European Cloud Union – a framework for data storage, use and sharing within the European Union, Altmire told reporters after the meeting, and this will enable the development of Gaia-X, a cloud computing initiative launched by Germany and France. . The two countries that have not signed – Cyprus and Denmark – are expected to sign this soon.

“This announcement is promising and shows the depth of the change that we are witnessing,” said Commissioner Thierry Britton. “There is a common understanding that it is necessary to store and process any data in Europe, in accordance with European rules and standards.”