Henna Virkkunen

Stories

EU moves to force TikTok to redesign its For You feed

Leading the Commission's Digital Services Act enforcement

On November 6, 2026, the European Commission told TikTok that its For You feed may violate the Digital Services Act. The preliminary findings say the recommender drives users down 'rabbit holes' of videos about sadness, isolation and body image, and that TikTok's tools for breaking those loops do not work.

Updated 2 days ago

EU starts enforcing its AI Act

Rule Changes

As of August 2026: Overseeing AI Act enforcement and the simplification package

For two years, Europe's AI rulebook came with a grace period. On August 2, 2026, that period ended.

Updated Aug 2

EU proposes Chips Act 2.0 and cloud law to cut reliance on US tech

Rule Changes

As of June 2026: Leading the sovereignty package through the EU legislative process

The European Union depends on non-EU suppliers for more than 80% of its core digital products. On 3 June 2026, the European Commission proposed two laws to change that: a Chips Act 2.0 to boost semiconductor production, and a Cloud and AI Development Act to triple the bloc's data-centre capacity within five to seven years.

Updated Jun 3

Europe’s big tech crackdown under the DSA and DMA

Rule Changes

As of May 2026: Overseeing DSA enforcement and first non‑compliance decision against X

The European Union is cracking down on U.S.-based Big Tech using the Digital Services Act, the Digital Markets Act, and long-standing competition and privacy rules. Since 2023, Brussels designated six platforms as 'gatekeepers,' imposed obligations on core services, and opened proceedings against X, Google, Apple and Meta for monopolistic conduct, opaque algorithms, deceptive design, and failures to police harmful content.

Updated May 10

EU’s first digital Services Act crackdown on X

Rule Changes

As of May 2026: Lead political face of DSA enforcement against X

On December 5, 2025, the European Commission issued its first non‑compliance decision under the Digital Services Act, fining X €120 million for misleading users with paid blue checkmarks, failing to provide a transparent advertising repository, and obstructing researcher access to public data. Regulators concluded the subscription-based 'verified' badge is deceptive because anyone can buy it without meaningful identity checks, and the platform's ad library and data-access rules prevent independent scrutiny of scams, influence operations, and systemic online risks.

Updated May 9

Notable Quotes

"Every time a user scrolls or likes a video on TikTok, the algorithm serves more of the same leading users down rabbit holes they cannot easily escape from."

from EU moves to force TikTok to redesign its For You feed · Updated 2 days ago

"Our businesses and citizens want two things from AI rules. They want to be able to innovate and feel safe."

from EU starts enforcing its AI Act · Updated Aug 2

'We want to be sure that nobody has a kill switch over our critical infrastructure.' — to reporters on 3 June 2026

from EU proposes Chips Act 2.0 and cloud law to cut reliance on US tech · Updated Jun 3

“With the DSA’s first non‑compliance decision, we are holding X responsible for undermining users’ rights and evading accountability.”

from Europe’s big tech crackdown under the DSA and DMA · Updated May 10

“Compliance prevents fines. The DSA protects users — deceiving users with blue checkmarks, obscuring information on ads and shutting out researchers have no place online in the EU.”

from Europe’s big tech crackdown under the DSA and DMA · Updated May 10

Virkkunen said the EU’s first DSA non‑compliance decision is about ‘holding X responsible for undermining users’ rights and evading accountability,’ not censoring speech.

from EU’s first digital Services Act crackdown on X · Updated May 9