Rob Chesnut, a name synonymous with legal prowess and expertise, formerly served as a general counsel and prosecutor for the Justice Department. In a recent piece, he delves into the intricacies of how Big Tech companies comply with EU digital regulation in the absence of similar oversight in the US. His article poses an intriguing question for the reader: Why does the EU maintain the reins of Big Tech regulation, despite the majority of these tech establishments being US-based?
Exemplifying this trend, the recent implementation of EU’s Digital Services Act and Digital Marketing Act drew significant attention. These acts establish a comprehensive framework for online companies, necessitating them to tackle the sale of illegal goods and services, combat disinformation and hatred, safeguard children, and ensure fair, transparent interaction with consumers.
The structure of the law leans more heavily on larger platforms including behemoths like Google and Facebook, demanding increased adherence, proportionally based on their size and influence. As Chesnut expresses, this approach seems to echo a biblical sentiment, reflecting the greater responsibility vested in those with more power and reach.
These regulatory shifts pose abundant questions, and it’s clear that Big Tech companies need to maintain a keen eye on evolving EU digital regulations. While the US appears to sit on the sidelines of this regulatory evolution, Chesnut’s insight offers a unique perspective on the interplay between Big Tech, global law, and ethical compliance. His insights, as always, are significant for those who navigate the complexities of corporate law and ethics.
To read Chesnut’s full piece, visit Bloomberg Law.