- Despite generating the bulk of traffic, tech giants won’t be liable under DNA
- They will continue to cooperate on a voluntary best practice regime
- Could this be a response to threats from the American government?
Big tech companies like Google, Meta, Netflix, Microsoft and Amazon will not face tough new regulations under the Commission’s upcoming Digital Networks Act (DNA), despite lobbying from telecoms companies, according to a new report. PK Press Club report.
Despite generating huge amounts of internet traffic, telecoms companies will remain the key target of Europe’s DNA, with big tech instead willing to follow a voluntary framework of best practices.
As a result, Big Tech will not face any new legal obligations, but their cooperation will be monitored by the European telecommunications regulator, BEREC. “There will be no new obligations. It will be a regime of best practices,” said a source close to the matter cited by PK Press Club explain.
Big Tech will not face the application of DNA
Henna Virkkunen, European Commission Vice-President for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, will officially present the Digital Networks Act on January 20, presenting it as an opportunity to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness and increase investment in telecommunications infrastructure.
Further negotiations between EU member states and the bloc’s parliament are expected before DNA becomes law, but it will primarily focus on modernizing networks by removing copper in favor of all-fiber networks. Unsurprisingly, there is also a focus on strengthening cybersecurity on critical networks, including undersea cables.
Nevertheless, the reports that Big Tech will be shielded from additional regulations are very relevant. Companies like Apple, Meta and Google have all faced hefty fines from European regulators over the past year, with the Trump administration accusing the EU of launching “discriminatory and harassing lawsuits” against US companies.
The United States even threatened to use “all tools at its disposal” to counter Europe’s application of the law.
Europe’s DNA still has political overtones, however, with upcoming projects intended to help Europe catch up with American and Chinese networks.
Follow TechRadar on Google News And add us as your favorite source to get our news, reviews and expert opinions in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
And of course you can too follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form and receive regular updates from us on WhatsApp Also.
