Europe’s digital laws are not bargaining chips
In reaction to the recent plan to “open a formal dialogue” with the US government on EU tech rules, EDRi and other civil society organisations urge the Commission to halt this plan that risks giving Big Tech a back door to weaken the EU digital rulebook and its enforcement.
Over the past months, Europe has witnessed a growing pressure from the US government and Big Tech on its digital rulebook. Yesterday, the European Commission confirmed its plan to open a new “formal dialogue” with the US government on EU tech law enforcement. What may be framed as a move towards diplomatic cooperation, however, might also turn out to become a backdoor to weaken the EU’s landmark rules.
EU laws like the Digital Services Act (DSA), Digital Markets Act (DMA), AI Act, and GDPR were put in place to protect people, safeguard democratic debate, and curb the excessive power of dominant tech companies. The strength of these legislations lies in the ability of the European Commission to properly enforce them independently of political influence and diplomatic considerations.
A new formal dialogue with the US creates a single point of failure that Big Tech billionaires and the US government are probably keen to exploit for political or financial gain to the detriment of the rule of law and the digital rights protections of 450 million people in Europe.
Big Tech companies systematically seek to delay, weaken, and ultimately dismantle Europe’s tech regulations, blocking, misleading, litigating, and exerting political pressure.
Creating new, privileged channels for “dialogue” on enforcement risks amplifying that pressure and giving regulated companies yet another avenue to influence outcomes behind closed doors.
This is neither necessary nor appropriate. Tech companies already have extensive opportunities to engage with regulators under existing legal frameworks. Meanwhile, public oversight of enforcement remains far too limited.
Opening additional, opaque discussions with foreign governments will not strengthen cooperation. It could undermine trust, transparency, and the EU’s ability to enforce its own rules in the public interest.
Together with civil society organisations, we urge the Commission to halt any plans for such a “dialogue” and instead focus on stronger, faster, and more transparent enforcement of Europe’s digital laws.
