Henna Virkkunen: “EU Decisive per Google e Big Tech. Se vogliono fare affari, giocare secondo le regole” [Interview with the Commissioner for Digital Sovereignty, translation in the comments]

Sanctions only come when the rules are not respected. They are fair and transparent rules, the same for everyone: Europeans, Americans, Chinese. We want a fair, democratic and secure digital environment’.

In the aftermath of the almost €3 billion maximum fine imposed on Google, the European Commission’s executive vice-president in charge of Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy Henna Virkkunen fully vindicates the decision. ‘

Our priority,’ she explained on the sidelines of the Teha-Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio, “is to have fair competition in Europe. When a company abuses a dominant position, it is not fair for other companies. That is why we demand that they change their business model’.

Will it be an effective measure or will it just represent an extra cost for a giant like Google?

“It is not a cost, but a principle. We only ask that the rules be respected.”

Aren’t you afraid that Trump might raise tariffs on European products and escalate the trade war in defence of Big Tech?

“Let’s not forget that there are very similar proceedings in the US as well. The instrument changes – in Europe the legislation, in the US the courts – but the issue is the same. Moreover, today we have a bilateral trade agreement that we are implementing together’.

So you are not worried about possible trade retaliation?

‘No. On the contrary, it is crucial to maintain solid cooperation with the US and their technology companies. Europe is a decisive market for them: Instagram, for example, has 100 million more users in Europe than in the US. But if they want to do business here they have to respect the rules’.