TENSIONS WITH US TECH FIRMS, GOVERNMENT
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, previously clashed with the European Commission over allegations that their algorithms caused behavioural addictions in minors.
The company said it has developed numerous tools to support parents and teens, and has worked hard to adapt to EU regulations.
The Trump administration has vowed to defend US tech firms like Meta from regulations like the DSA and the Digital Markets Act.
However, European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier told CNA that it is fully committed to the effective enforcement of both Acts, and that companies wishing to do business in the EU must respect the bloc’s laws.
Experts noted that the EU is the world’s largest regulator with the power to take on tech giants.
Singapore, Malaysia and the United Kingdom are among nations that have adopted online safety legislation in recent years.
The EU will be the largest regulator to implement such measures, which the European Commission says will help online platforms shape a safer environment for children.
Leanda Barrington-Leach, executive director of UK-based 5Rights Foundation, pointed out that the EU commands access to an “enormous market” of 500 million consumers.
“Now the message is very much – if you don’t comply with these rules, you’re not going to have access to this market,” she added.
