- Despite generating most of the traffic, tech giants will not be liable under the DNA
- They will still collaborate on a voluntary best practice scheme
- Could this be a response to threats from the US government?
Big tech companies such as Google, Meta, Netflix, Microsoft and Amazon will not face tough new rules under the Commission’s upcoming Digital Networks Act (DNA) despite lobbying by telcos, according to a new Pakinomist report.
Despite generating huge amounts of internet traffic, telcos will remain the main target of Europe’s DNA, with Big Tech set to follow a voluntary best practice framework instead.
As a result, Big Tech will face no new legal obligations, but their cooperation will be monitored by Europe’s telecoms regulator BEREC. “There will be no new obligations. It will be a best practice regime,” a person familiar with the matter was quoted as saying by Pakinomist explained.
Big Tech Won’t Face DNA Enforcement
Henna Virkkunen, VP of the European Commission for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, will formally present the Digital Networks Act on January 20, presenting it as an opportunity to increase Europe’s competitiveness and increase investment in telecommunications infrastructure.
Further negotiations between EU member states and the bloc’s parliament are expected before the DNA becomes law, but at its core it will focus on modernizing networks through the removal of copper in favor of full-fibre networks. Not surprisingly, there is also a focus on strengthening cyber security across critical networks, including submarine cables.
Still, reports that Big Tech will be immune from further regulation are highly relevant. Companies such as Apple, Meta and Google have all faced serious 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 US even threatened to use “all tools at its disposal” to counter Europe’s enforcement.
However, Europe’s DNA still has political connotations with the upcoming plans designed to help Europe catch up with US and Chinese networks.
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