EU Antitrust Chief and Apple Foe Margrethe Vestager Steps Down After10 Years
BRUSSELS – Margrethe Vestager, theEuropean Union’s antitrust chief and a vocal critic of Big Tech, will step down after a decade in the role, marking the end of an era of intensescrutiny of tech giants like Apple.
Vestager, who served two five-year terms as the European Commissioner for Competition, has been a central figurein the EU’s efforts to regulate the tech industry, often clashing with companies like Apple over their business practices. Her departure comes as the EU continues to grapple with the challenges of balancing innovation with consumer protection in the digital age.
It’s been a tumultuous decade, Vestager said in June 2024, hinting at her impending departure. I may sleep for a month or so because this has been 10 years hypercharged.
Vestager’s decision not to seek a third term is reportedly linked to the poor performance of her Social Liberal party in Denmark’s 2022 elections. The Financial Times reported that her party’s decline in popularity made it unlikely for her to be nominated for another term.
During her tenure, Vestager spearheaded several high-profile antitrust investigations against Apple, including a landmark ruling in 2016 that ordered the company to pay €13 billion in back taxes to Ireland. The decision was hailed by many as a victory for fair competition, but Apple and the Irish government appealed the ruling, arguing that it wasbased on a flawed interpretation of EU law.
Vestager also led the EU’s efforts to curb Apple’s dominance in the mobile payments market, forcing the company to allow third-party payment apps on its iPhones. This decision, which came into effect in 2022, was widely seen asa blow to Apple’s walled garden approach and a victory for consumer choice.
Apple CEO Tim Cook, known for his public clashes with Vestager, once described her actions as total political crap. However, Vestager remained undeterred, arguing that her focus was on ensuring a level playing field for all businessesand protecting consumers from anti-competitive practices.
The digital economy is evolving rapidly, and we need to ensure that our rules are keeping pace, Vestager said in a statement. I am proud of the work we have done to promote competition and protect consumers in this sector.
Vestager’s legacywill likely be debated for years to come. Her supporters argue that she was a champion for fair competition and consumer rights, while her critics say she was too quick to intervene in the market and stifle innovation.
Regardless of one’s perspective, Vestager’s departure marks a significant turning point for the EU’s approach to tech regulation. Her successor will face the daunting task of navigating a complex and rapidly evolving digital landscape, balancing the need for innovation with the protection of consumers and competition.
Views: 0