About: Margrethe Vestager
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.
Legal action looms for EU’s ‘voucher-gate’ clique
The European Commission announced on Wednesday (13 May) that it would remind EU countries of their obligations to enforce passenger rights rules and that legal action against those who do not comply is a possibility.
EU-funded COVID-19 app ‘listens to voices and coughs’
A recently launched EU-funded mobile application records users' breathing and coughing to diagnose cases of COVID-19, scientists involved in the project have said.
Commission to contract €600,000 study on gatekeeping power of digital platforms
The European Commission is to contract a study on the gatekeeping, or market-dominating, power of digital platforms in a bid to gather evidence which could feed into the upcoming Digital Services Act, documents seen by EURACTIV reveal.
Vestager urges EU member states not to backtrack on 5G
The European Commission's Vice-President for Digital, Margrethe Vestager, has urged EU telecoms ministers to "limit as much as possible" any delays to their 5G spectrum assignments, amid the current challenges to the industry brought on by the coronavirus crisis.
Economy bigwigs rank airline bailouts last on virus recovery wishlist
More than 200 of the world’s foremost economic experts and officials spelled out their wishes for a post-coronavirus recovery on Tuesday (5 May), ranking airline bailouts last in order of climate-friendliness and long-term economic benefit.
‘New competition tool’ to feature in digital services act, Vestager says
The EU's bid to regulate online platforms, the Digital Services Act, is likely to address a number of competition issues related to the digital economy, possibly through a new competition tool, the European Commission's Vice-President for Digital, Margrethe Vestager has said.
Germany’s massive use of state aid could serve as ‘locomotive,’ Vestager says
Germany’s decision to take full advantage of the EU's relaxed state aid rules could be "a locomotive" for Europe but a strong recovery fund is needed to avoid distortions in the internal market, EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager told MEPs on Monday (4 May).
Tweets of the Week: Commissioner Judges, Boris’ Baby, Summer Holidays
European Commissioners find Masterchef fame, won’t someone come up with Boris’ baby name, and if we can’t go on holidays, that would be a shame.