"Called Crazy but Very Satisfied"... The 'Big Tech Grim Reaper' Taking on Google and Apple [News Figures]

Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice President in charge of Competition
Leading antitrust regulation targeting Big Tech since 2014
"Big Tech 10 years ago was untouchable... very satisfied"

Margrethe Vestager, the European Union's (EU) 'Big Tech Reaper' who has led aggressive lawsuits against major US tech companies such as Google, Apple, and Amazon, securing massive fines, is stepping down. As the chief executive vice president in charge of antitrust regulation, she has been at the forefront of a tough stance against Silicon Valley companies, making the EU a leader in tech company regulation.

Margrethe Vestager, European Union (EU) Executive Vice President for Competition. Photo by Yonhap News.

In a recent interview reported by The New York Times (NYT), Vestager, who is stepping down at the end of this month, was described as "the EU's antitrust regulator who brought the risks of technology to the global agenda," calling her the 'world's pioneering tech police' who is retiring.

Born in 1968, Vestager is a Danish politician. She began her career as Denmark's Minister of Education in 2000, served as leader of the Danish Social Liberal Party from 2007 to 2014, and held positions as a member of parliament, Minister of Economic Affairs, and Minister of the Interior in 2011. She joined the EU in 2014 and spent ten years as the Commissioner for Competition and Executive Vice President, leading the development of antitrust policies. She established herself as a key executive in creating a 'Europe fit for the digital age.'

Vestager gained worldwide attention for her legal battles with Big Tech companies. After joining the EU Commission, major tech firms like Google, Apple, and Amazon faced EU regulations that resulted in billions of dollars in fines. The EU challenged these companies for using their market dominance to prevent competitors from expanding their market share or for unfair practices such as profiting from data collection and usage.

When Vestager took office as an EU Commissioner, Silicon Valley companies were rapidly growing and widely praised as 'icons of innovation.' Vestager wielded the regulatory sword during this period, putting a brake on unrestricted support for tech companies. As a result, the EU gained leadership in regulating tech firms. Today, various regulations first introduced by the EU are being applied worldwide.

Reflecting on her decade-long tenure in the NYT interview, Vestager described it as "very satisfying." She said, "Ten years ago, Big Tech companies were untouchable, so people thought we were crazy," adding, "At that time, they were the most respected, innovative, and promising companies." However, she also expressed some regret, saying, "If we had moved a bit faster, we could have gone beyond imposing fines to urging these companies to make structural changes," and concluded, "We only partially succeeded."

AFP Yonhap News

Even up to her retirement, she achieved significant victories. In September, Apple and Google challenged fines imposed by the EU at the European Court of Justice (ECJ), but the EU won all cases. The court upheld the EU's ruling that tax benefits provided by the Irish government to Apple and others were illegal. This contentious issue was finally resolved by the court's decision eight years after the EU's initial judgment.

Vestager recalled shedding tears over the unexpected victory. Shortly after the lawsuit, she declared, "A huge win for European citizens and tax justice," and vowed, "We will continue legislative and enforcement efforts against aggressive tax avoidance strategies."

Her actions have not always been welcomed. Since the regulated Big Tech companies are American, tech leaders in Silicon Valley, Wall Street, and conservative circles centered around the Republican Party have often viewed Vestager unfavorably. Donald Trump, then President-elect of the United States, said during her first term in 2018, "She really hates America."

Within Europe, her tough approach has been criticized for hindering economic revival. Critics argue that her policies have blocked the growth of Europe's tech industry and introduced excessive regulations.

Vestager emphasized in the NYT interview that all regulatory bodies need to act more boldly. She viewed the Biden administration's close monitoring of Google's antitrust trial positively. However, she noted the unpredictability of the situation under a potential second Trump administration, saying, "Seeing tech leaders quickly congratulate President-elect Trump suggests there is a strong hope that everything will change."

After stepping down, Vestager plans to work at a university in Denmark. Teresa Ribera Rodr?guez, a former Spanish minister, will succeed Vestager as the EU Commissioner for Competition.