Some of the top think tanks in Brussels are pushing for the establishment of a single digital regulator, a move that could simplify the complex and fragmented regulation of a critically important industry.
In mid-October, digital ministers from some of Europe’s so-called “digital frontrunner” countries – the D9+ group – met in Lisbon to discuss ideas for EU digital policies. According to a draft document prepared before the meeting and obtained by Euractiv, one of the main ideas was the establishment of a single EU tech enforcement agency.
The D9+ proposal is a sign that the idea is gaining popularity. However, the Commission and national governments continue to vie for control of the sector.
EU Commission in the thick of it
Some experts say that Europe needs a dedicated entity to enforce its tech laws to avoid conflicts of interest.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has been the face of Europe in the ongoing trade talks with Washington and was the person to shake hands on a humiliating trade deal with US President Donald Trump. Simultaneously, she was also the first in command when enforcing EU tech laws that Trump has publicly disparaged.
Some observers found the duality of von der Leyen’s duties uncomfortable, especially as the Commission has been slow to impose long-awaited fines on US tech platforms. Some believe that von der Leyen has been unwilling to fine US tech giants because she is afraid of angering Trump.
The tension has given think-tankers fresh impetus to push for a new body to take over tech enforcement, thereby allowing the Commission to avoid political pitfalls.
“Such a singular or independent regulatory body would ideally cushion decision-making on digital law enforcement from lawmaking priorities and geopolitical pressures,” said Maria Koomen, tech policy researcher at the Centre for Future Generations (CFG).
Simplify everything?
Meanwhile, a second argument is driving the discussion surrounding a single tech agency, one that ties into the hot-button topic of simplifying the EU’s rulebook. The suggestion is that a new oversight body could centralise a lot of the bloc’s sprawling oversight machinery.
The complexity of the EU’s regulatory landscape is undeniable.
In recent years, the Commission has taken on new oversight duties for the largest platforms – under the Digital Services Act, the Digital Markets Act, and for large AI models – while scores of national and sometimes regional bodies are supposed to watch over the bulk of activity in areas like data protection, consumer rights, AI, and more.
Those national authorities then form groupings, such as the European Data Protection Board or the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications, to cooperate at the EU level.
It is challenging even for the most experienced experts to grasp how all the cogs should work together.
“There’s a need to streamline,” said Alexandre de Streel from the Centre on Regulation in Europe.
Experts are floating several ideas for streamlining oversight. One of those would be to merge all the different EU-level groups into the envisioned one-stop tech shop, reshuffling EU personnel without significantly altering the balance of power with national capitals.
De Streel, for one, would like to see an EU watchdog working in conjunction with national bodies that would still retain important roles.
Reality still bites
For some Brussels-based think tankers, the more radical “pie in the sky” dream would be a truly centralised, single EU “everything tech” enforcer. Some business leaders believe that this would address the complex web of differing interpretations of EU rules that arise from national enforcement.
“That’s as far as the EU could go, essentially,” CFG’s Koomen told Euractiv.
However, such a loss of power could be a non-starter with national governments, despite all the talk of digital simplification.
Even the idea of a two-tiered system of oversight bodies didn’t make it into the final text of the D9+’s declaration, which participants watered down to call for strengthening “regulatory coordination mechanisms.” In other words: European reality bites.
The case for a fully independent tech enforcement agency, separate from the Commission, faces similar resistance. The Commission would need to propose such a reform. And, of course, turkeys don’t vote for Christmas.
The EU executive did not reply to Euractiv when asked whether it is considering the change.
(nl, cm)
