EU digital boss: New rules to curb big tech aim for fairness

European Commissioner for Europe Margrethe Vestager signalled that tech companies would have to reveal more about how they decide what users see, saying that they now have the power to guide political debates and protect or undermine democracy. — Yves Herman/Pool Photo via AP

LONDON: The European Union is set to propose new laws to rein in the power of big tech companies, including measures to ensure customers are protected, smaller rivals are treated fairly, and illegal content is dealt with, the bloc's digital and antitrust chief said on Oct 29.

Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager outlined two draft laws that the EU's executive Commission plans to introduce in early December. They amount to a sweeping overhaul of digital regulations, though the final version will depend on negotiations with the EU Parliament and the bloc's 27 member states.