The Business and Human Rights Centre invited the FEDMA to respond to the publication "Addicted to the algorithm: How Big Tech lobbies to keep us hooked on social media" by Corporate Europe Observatory. FEDMA responded.

We appreciate your efforts and welcome the opportunity to clarify who FEDMA represents, as well as our position regarding the Digital Fairness Act.

About FEDMA

FEDMA is a respected and influential advocacy trade association in Brussels on all matters related to privacy, consumer protection and data-driven marketing. Our objective is to promote and protect the European data driven marketing industry by creating greater acceptance and usage of data marketing by European consumers and business communities. We develop ethical standards for the industry to ensure greater consumer trust, and fight for the freedom of communication by encouraging European institutions to ensure a healthy commercial and legislative environment within which the industry may operate and develop. More to the description in your publication, FEDMA represents a broad community of SMEs and mid-cap companies and we are committed to a fair regulatory framework that supports both strong consumer protection and sustainable industry growth.

Regarding the Digital Fairness Act, FEDMA agrees that the exploitation of consumers’ vulnerabilities to personalise commercial offers is an unacceptable practice. However, it is our belief that existing laws already enable to address this situation. Adding a new layer of rules on this topic would complexify further the legal framework, undermine the functioning of the single market and make it more difficult for European start-ups and SMEs to flourish.