The Business and Human Rights Centre invited DigitalEurope to respond to the publications "Article by article, how Big Tech shaped the EU’s roll-back of digital rights" and "Addicted to the algorithm: How Big Tech lobbies to keep us hooked on social media" by Corporate Europe Observatory. DigitalEurope responded.

DIGITALEUROPE welcomes the opportunity to clarify its positions in response to recent publications by Corporate Europe Observatory.

Corporate Europe Observatory is incorrect in its recurring characterisation of DIGITALEUROPE as representing only or primarily 'Big Tech.’ Whilst some large technology companies are amongst our members, they are a small part of a broad membership base.

DIGITALEUROPE is a diverse trade association with 43 national associations and 120 corporate members from across the European industrial spectrum, representing a total of more than 56,000 businesses. Our membership spans manufacturing, healthcare, energy, cybersecurity, software, connectivity and digital services, amongst others. All members participate in our policy development processes under the same governance structure and membership conditions – we operate under a strict one member, one vote policy, and all our corporate members pay the same membership fee. Our policy positions are developed collectively and reflect cross-sector industrial concerns.

The reports cited focus on selected companies and selectively attribute positions to DIGITALEUROPE on that basis. This approach does not reflect how our association operates or the substance of our recommendations.

Our advocacy on the AI and digital omnibuses centres primarily on structural simplification affecting a wide range of European industries, including machinery manufacturers, health technology providers, energy system operators and cybersecurity firms. These sectors face significant compliance challenges under the AI Act, the Data Act and cybersecurity legislation. Our recommendations aim to ensure workability, legal certainty and proportionality across these frameworks.

On the GDPR and related issues, our proposals seek to clarify existing legal concepts such as anonymisation and legitimate interest within the regulation’s risk-based framework, which we have consistently supported. They do not remove core safeguards or diminish protections for individuals. Likewise, our position on ePrivacy advocates coherence with the GDPR’s established legal bases, ensuring consistency rather than weakening rights.

Regarding the Digital Fairness Act, DIGITALEUROPE supports robust consumer protection and measures that effectively address harmful online practices. At the same time, Europe has an extensive framework already in place, including the Digital Services Act, the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive, other consumer protection law and data protection rules. As we have documented, many of the practices cited as justification for the Digital Fairness Act are already covered under existing obligations. Corporate Europe Observatory mistakenly equates a call for regulatory restraint and coherence with a rollback of human rights protections.

DIGITALEUROPE engages transparently in the EU legislative process in accordance with EU transparency rules. Our recommendations are publicly available, and we remain open to dialogue with policymakers and civil society.

We recognise that there are legitimate debates about how best to enhance innovation, competitiveness and fundamental rights. We welcome constructive discussion grounded in the full substance of our proposals and the diversity of the industries we represent.