The European Commission (EC) is formulating decisive measures to tighten oversight of the digital tech industry. European authorities are considering granting powers to the Commission to impose direct fines on tech companies deemed to have failed to provide adequate protection for users, particularly in cases of online shopping scams and manipulative interface practices.
The plan, scheduled to be announced later this year, is part of a broader digital fairness framework. Its main focus is to mitigate addictive website design, deceptive marketing tactics aimed at trapping users, and difficulties in subscription cancellations. This regulation is designed to apply not only to tech giants, but also to target small-scale online retailers and video game developers.
Until now, digital enforcement has remained the responsibility of national authorities in each EU member state, while the European Commission has only acted as a coordinator. This shift in authority is seen as necessary to create a more effective deterrent against systemic cross-border violations.
However, the proposal is still sparking internal debate. A number of member states, including Poland, have voiced concerns regarding potential regulatory overlaps with the existing Digital Services Act. In addition to financial sanctions, discussions also encompass preventive measures such as strengthening digital literacy, privacy settings, and improving parental control systems as alternatives to strict social media access restrictions for young people.
