zlacker

Google is not stronger than the EU.

>>iddan+(OP)
This presumes that the EU

(1) Understands what this is about

(2) cares about its citizens' freedom

(3) has enough coherence to actually do something about it

It's not obvious to me that any of these apply. The EU is pushing -- in fits and starts -- towards self-reliance in its computing infrastructure, but at a slow pace.

>>Pontif+in
Of these, number 1 is probably the most doubtful. The EU, however boring that line of thinking is, is still quite bureaucratic, and it's doubtful that measures to control this, might not be a priority of bureaucrats. After all, the regs I mention later are in the name of "less e-waste" (which is good, but besides the point). So something like "control web DRM" might not be as blatant and easily solved (your point No.3).

For number 2, the EU's new regulations above more easily replacable batteries, mandatory USB-C ports and such, in my eyes prove -- though not doubtlessly -- that they do care about walled gardens in tech.

Number 3 though, again, as I've alluded to before, doubtful. But possible in my eyes. Urgency is another thing you've mentioned, and -- let's say it again -- bureaucrats are not particularly known for solving a problem in the right time.

NB: don't misenterpret my use of 'bureaucrat[ic]' as a negative comment, it is just a fact, however boring.