US tech companies such as Google and Meta are currently doing everything they can to undermine the enforcement of European rules such as restrictions on the abuse of dominance, the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the Digital Services Act (DSA). With the support of the US government. The European Commission must not be intimidated by this. On the contrary: it must send a clear signal to Silicon Valley – and use its options to finally set limits on the tech companies. The ongoing Google adtech proceedings could set an important course in this regard.
Break after the close cooperation of the Biden years
Under US President Biden, the competition authorities of the US and the EU still cooperated closely. At the time, the US government itself was critical of the market power of the big tech companies. This changed when Donald Trump took office in January 2025. Trump made new appointments to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice, and the head of the FTC, Lina Khan, who was critical of monopolies, had to go.
Shortly after taking office, Trump demonstratively sought to close ranks with tech CEOs. At his inauguration ceremony, he had himself photographed with the heads of Google, Meta and Co. Since then, he has been aggressively defending the interests of Big Tech, both domestically and globally: he is mobilising massive investments and fighting any regulatory initiatives, attacking the laws and obstructing regulation in other countries as well as pushing for unhindered market access for US companies.
Digital Services Act – defamed as tax and censorship
The new US position has consequences for the EU. The Digital Services Act (DSA) is intended to curb hate speech and disinformation on online platforms and create more transparency in digital advertising. It obliges large platforms such as X, Facebook and Instagram to take responsibility for the content on their sites.
Trump, however, questions the aims of the DSA. He describes the law as an instrument of censorship and the fines for breaches of the rules as a “hidden tax” on US companies.
The political pressure from the USA has not been without effect – enforcement of the DSA has been slow so far: while the EU has already imposed fines for violations of Meta, Elon Musk’s platform X continues to spread misinformation and hate speech without the EU Commission intervening. It has opened proceedings, but so far without any consequences. Consistent application of the rules would mean sanctioning X with fines as a minimum or, if necessary, excluding it from the European market.
Digital Markets Act – progress with a brake pad
The Digital Markets Act (DMA) also presents a mixed picture. The DMA is intended to keep markets with particularly large tech companies fair and contestable, i.e. open to competition. Companies such as Alphabet (Google), Amazon, Apple, Booking, ByteDance, Meta and Microsoft are designated as gatekeepers. Their services, such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and the App Store, are subject to special obligations. If the gatekeepers violate the DMA, they face severe penalties and may even be broken up.
The European Commission has already initiated several procedures and made initial progress: Gatekeepers had to open interfaces and make services more interoperable. Despite massive resistance from Apple, for example, the Commission seems to be sticking to its course. Civil society players are also actively involved, for example via the DMA compliance workshops, in which the companies present their compliance reports. Even if there has been justified criticism of the implementation of the workshops, they are nevertheless a step forward in the involvement of civil society.
However, there is an overall lack of resources for comprehensive enforcement of the DMA. This is shown by a legal opinion by LobbyControl. This is also confirmed by the network policy civil society network EDRi, which is calling for the DMA to be strengthened and expanded. Criticism of the cautious implementation of the DMA is also repeatedly voiced in the European Parliament.
Google adtech: a sign of hope
By comparison, the antitrust proceedings against Google are particularly promising. It could set the course for a structural limitation of market power. We have been following the proceedings for some time.
On September 5, 2025, the EU Commission ruled that Google must pay a fine of 2.95 billion euros for abusing its dominant position in the advertising business. More importantly, the company must explain within 60 days how it intends to structure its business model in line with competition law. Google is thus tasked with proposing an effective solution to its conflicts of interest.
The break-up of Google’s advertising business thus remains on the table. Many experts share our view that only a break-up, i.e. a sale of parts of the company, will solve the problem. Among them is the Chairman of the Monopolies Commission, Tomaso Duso.
Sign now: For the break up of the Google monopoly
A wake-up call for Europe
The US tech billionaires and the Trump administration make no secret of the fact that they reject European rules to limit market power. Trump is likely to increase his pressure on the EU further – with economic and security policy threats.
Europe is partially dependent on US technology and arms aid, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine. This dependence gives the USA political influence. But this must not paralyse Europe.
The potential for blackmail must be a wake-up call. Brussels and the member states should act decisively now: Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Merz and French President Macron must find ways to strengthen Europe’s digital and economic independence – especially vis-à-vis tech companies.
The EU should consistently enforce its rules, strengthen its competition authorities and seek new alliances with countries in the Global South that also oppose monopoly power, such as Brazil or South Africa.
It is time to break the power of tech companies in favor of an open, free and democratic economy and society. We are continuing to push for this.
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