Decoder with Nilay Patel Recode Decode: Margrethe Vestager, European Commissioner for Competition (Live at SXSW 2019)
Mar 18, 2019
Margrethe Vestager, the European Commissioner for Competition, is a powerhouse in tech regulation, known for her tough antitrust stance. In a lively discussion, she shares insights on America’s growing hunger for tech oversight and critiques Elizabeth Warren’s breakup approach. Vestager likens Big Tech to pesticides and questions the implications of GDPR for smaller firms. She reflects on the challenges of privacy in smart devices and the ethical dilemmas in AI. Plus, she considers the future of competition in the digital landscape and Europe’s role in tech innovation.
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Breaking Up Big Tech
- Vestager views breaking up companies as a last resort, preferring to address antitrust issues through traditional methods.
- She believes in allowing businesses to correct their behavior in the marketplace before resorting to drastic measures.
US vs. EU Google Investigations
- Vestager highlights the difference in outcomes between the US and European investigations into Google's market dominance.
- The US FTC's investigation yielded no significant action, whereas Vestager's team in Europe levied fines against Google.
Global Regulation
- Vestager acknowledges the global nature of tech companies requires international cooperation.
- She emphasizes the importance of discussions and shared insights between regulators to inspire legislative changes.