About: Margrethe Vestager
Parliament adopts ambitious stance on EU’s future regulation of digital platforms
The European Parliament has overwhelmingly backed a series of reports which could have a profound impact on the future of the platform economy, supporting a possible ban on targeted advertising, reporting procedures for illegal content, and better detection of fraudulent vendors.
Poland and Hungary score against Commission over taxes
The EU Court of Justice’s advocate general dismissed on Thursday (15 October) the European Commission’s appeal about Poland and Hungary’s tax regimes and recommended upholding the verdict in favour of the two eastern member states.
‘No second shutdown’, Germany’s Altmaier promises business leaders
Speaking at the annual Industry Day event, Germany's Economy Minister Peter Altmaier (CDU) promised business leaders that there would not be a second shutdown. He also took the opportunity to be critical of his SPD colleague, Vice-Chancellor Olaf Scholz. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU to launch review of state aid rules in early 2021
The European Commission will launch a ‘comprehensive review’ of EU competition rules in early 2021, Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday (2 October).
EU considers allowing more state aid to boost green projects
European Union governments may be allowed to grant more state aid to projects that help the bloc achieve its climate goals, Europe’s antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager said on Tuesday (22 September), calling such an incentive a “green bonus”.
Commission concedes delay in 5G deployment across EU
The European Commission has admitted that there will be a delay on targets to launch 5G telecommunications networks across all EU member states by the end of 2020, owing to postponements in spectrum frequency auctions that have occurred as a result of the coronavirus crisis.
New EU regulation on high performance computers expected in the coming days
The European Commission wants supercomputers on European soil, saying it is essential for technological sovereignty. The executive was supposed to announce its new regulation on High-Performance Computers (HPC) on Tuesday (15 September), but there is a delay of several days. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU launches ‘in-depth’ probe of Google bid for Fitbit
The European Commission launched an "in-depth investigation" on Tuesday (4 August) into whether US tech giant Google's planned €1.7 billion purchase of smartwatch maker Fitbit would give it an unfair market advantage.
EU clears creation of world’s second-largest trainmaker
The European Commission on Friday (31 July) signed off on a merger between French trainmaker Alstom and the rail arm of Canadian firm Bombardier, setting a number of competition criteria in the process.
Vestager calls for EU-US ‘common vision’ on platform competition policy
Worldwide jurisdictions and particularly the EU and the US should formulate "common visions" on how best to regulate competition in the platform economy, the Commission's digital chief Margrethe Vestager has said.
Facebook accused of ‘copy, acquire and kill’ tactics in US antitrust hearing
Social media giant Facebook has come in for heavy criticism as part of a US congressional hearing into the dominance of online tech platforms, being accused of ‘copy, acquire and kill’ tactics as part of its history in acquiring smaller...
Vestager launches investigation into internet of things
The European Commission has launched a broad antitrust inquiry into internet of things technologies such as voice assistants and connected mobile devices, the EU's competition chief Margrethe Vestager announced on Thursday.
Counterfeit and illegal sellers to be targeted in Digital Services Act, Vestager says
A crackdown on the sale of counterfeit and illegal goods across online platforms is likely to feature in the European Commission's upcoming Digital Services Act plans, the EU's Vice-President for Digital Affairs, Margrethe Vestager has said.
Vestager warns against predictive policing in Artificial Intelligence
Certain Artificial Intelligence application including forms of predictive policing are 'not acceptable' in the EU, the European Commission's Vice-President for Digital policy, Margarethe Vestager has said.
EU seeks to beef up its defences against foreign subsidies
The European Commission outlined on Wednesday (17 June) new tools to address the disruption caused by subsidised foreign companies operating in the single market, including the possibility to block the acquisition of European firms.
Brussels launches investigation against Apple for abusive practices
The European Commission opened two parallel investigations into Apple on Tuesday (16 June) to see whether the US tech giant has excluded rivals and imposed unfair conditions on 'app' developers via its Apple Store and its payment service Apple Pay.
Commission charts new competition tool ‘fit for the digital age’
A new competition tool 'fit for the digital age' is set to be unveiled by the European Commission before the end of this year, which has prompted stakeholders to begin analysing the wider impact that it could have on fostering competition across the EU's market economies.
Portugal’s €1.2bn airline bailout given EU blessing
The Portuguese government’s decision to grant national airline TAP a €1.2 billion rescue loan was approved by the European Commission’s competition authorities on Wednesday (10 June), which cited the carrier’s crucial role in the country’s tourism sector.
EU cuts red ribbon on beginning of digital services crackdown
The European Commission has launched public consultations on its long-awaited Digital Services Act package, and at the same time called for feedback on the possibility of a new competition tool to address market imbalances in different sectors, including digital.
Lufthansa board gives green light to €9bn bailout
The supervisory board of German airline Lufthansa voted on Monday (1 June) in favour of the government's €9 billion aid package, after the European Commission compromised on its conditions for approving the bailout.
Vestager defends EU approach to Lufthansa mega bailout, as carrier agrees terms
EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager said on Friday (29 May) that the European Commission was not creating unnecessary obstacles to Lufthansa's €9 billion bailout, shortly before the carrier agreed to accept the Commission's set of conditions.
Huawei faces potential UK backlash in new probe
Bolstered US sanctions against Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei have prompted UK authorities to launch a fresh probe into the company, a government spokesperson said on Sunday (24 May).
Commission seeks ‘largest possible participation’ of EU citizens for COVID-19 apps
The European Commission has said that the 'largest possible participation' of EU citizens is required in order for coronavirus contact tracing applications to work effectively.