March 2021 - Dialogues on European Digital Transition

The ‘shadow value of personal data’: What value does something apparently “free” have for the consumer?

European Association for Digital Transition Economic future March 17, 2021June 9, 2021Consumers, Digital Services Act, Facebook, Google

Various events are being held this week to celebrate World Consumer Rights Day, a day in which civil society and regulators defend the rights of citizens-consumers. This year, the date takes on a special relevance. This is because it is being held in the midst of major discussions within the European institutions that are designing one of the most important regulatory frameworks for the coming years, that is, the ‘Digital Acts’ regulatory package: DSA, DMA, and DGA.

World Consumer Rights Day: Do big tech companies respect yours?

European Association for Digital Transition Rights and freedom March 15, 2021June 9, 2021Apple, Consumers, Data Protection, Digital rights, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Privacy

March 15 marks World Consumer Rights Day, a commemoration established by the United Nations in 1983. The choice of March 15 comes from a speech delivered on that day in 1962 by John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Speaking at the United States Congress, the then U.S. president defined the consumer as an essential element in the production process, recognising their political relevance and urging institutions to protect their rights.

The future of work, according to Uber

European Association for Digital Transition Economic future March 12, 2021June 9, 2021Labor Relations, Uber

For years we have been witness to a range of debates, formulations, and written proposals on the future of work. The impact of digitalization and technological change sparks many of these debates, as do trends that have long existed as a result of changes in how the workforce is composed, business models, and, ultimately, the process of globalisation that accelerated at the end of the last century.

Big tech lobbying in Brussels: A lot of money. Too much influence?

European Association for Digital Transition Democratic quality March 4, 2021June 9, 2021Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, Lobbying, Microsoft

It’s no surprise the Silicon Valley tech giants are paying close attention to regulatory activity in the European Union. As of March 2015, when then-Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker announced the Digital Single Market, Europe has been setting a distinct profile in its conception of digitalization, a profile that is increasingly uncomfortable for the so-called Big Five or GAFAM – Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon, and Microsoft. Some of the issues the Commission is prioritising through the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act are potentially very dangerous for the business model of companies like Google and Facebook. And we’re talking about a market of more than 450 million people.