Europe Weighs Its Role As A Digital Arbiter

The European Union has been steadily expanding its digital initiatives. The examples are numerous, stretching from Google Antitrust Investigation and Apple's Tax Dispute to new digital rules for data protection and the clamp down on hate speech on social media.

According to Politico, Europe is, in fact, setting its sights on becoming the world’s digital policeman. So far, other countries are following suit, though mostly due to lack of leadership from other powerhouses, like the U.S.

"Antitrust investigations similar to those of the EU have started in India, authorities in Brazil have tried to access encrypted WhatsApp messages, and countries from Colombia to South Africa have adopted Europe’s tough data privacy rules almost word for word," summarises Politico.

Still, as Politico points out, Europe's ambition has its drawbacks. Not only may it lead to the balkanisation of the internet, but it may also hurt the world's internet freedom. Each step towards more control in the digital realm encourages repressive regimes to tighten their grip on online communication too.

"The region’s politicians may want to dictate what should, and should not, be allowed to happen online. But this stance will only make it harder to object when authoritarian regimes in China or Russia push their own (restricted) versions of the internet overseas, particularly in developing countries whose populations are only now starting to get connected," writes Politico's Mark Scott.

Politico's article will be a good read for those with a keen interest in digital policy and Internet governance, but also for novices to the topic. Without unnecessary details and complicated EU jargon, it can be a good starting point to form your opinion on the EU's approach to the digital market, viewed by some as overly interventionist and protectionist, by others as anti-competitive and pro-consumerist.