Addressing data equality and fair competition: GOOGLE CEO to meet with EU officials

According to the agenda released by the European Commission on Friday, Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Alphabet (GOOGL.O), will meet with Thierry Breton, the head of the EU industry, and Vera Jourova, the deputy head of the European Commission, in Brussels on 24 May.

The discussion will address the need for equal access to data generated on Google’s platform for business users, along with the prohibition of preferential treatment of its services and products over rivals in accordance with new EU tech regulations. The meeting will also address the need for tech giants, including Google, to take stronger measures to combat illegal online content.

The meeting is part of the EU’s efforts to implement the Digital Services Act, which aims to create a safer digital space and rebalance responsibilities among users, platforms, and public authorities.

Thierry Breton is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the EU’s digital regulations known as the Digital Services Act. The aim of this flagship rule is to promote proportionality, foster innovation, and ensure the growth and competitiveness of the digital market while also facilitating the expansion of smaller platforms, SMEs, and start-ups. These regulations seek to rebalance the responsibilities of users, platforms, and public authorities in accordance with European values, with a focus on placing citizens at the centre. The primary objective is to restrict the proliferation of unlawful and illegal online content and establish a safer digital space.