New EU digital law: Fair is different

Finally, a turn-off feature for addictive social media features like endless scrolling and autoplay. A ban on dark patterns, i.e. designs that encourage users to buy, for example, by suggesting artificial scarcity. And clear rules for advertising that influencers do on platforms from Tiktok to Instagram. The EU Commission proposed this and more on Wednesday with its Digital Fairness Act to better protect consumers online. And yes, the suggestions make sense. But unfortunately they won't be nearly enough to solve the fundamental problem.

Because anyone who shops online, plays games, gets information, is on social media or just wants to see how much it costs to stay overnight on a car-free island during the school holidays (spoiler: maybe camping is better?) is exposed to a variety of tricks and attempts to influence them. And even if the tricks are different, many of them are based on the same problem: the extensive collection and analysis of personal and most personal data and its use for advertising purposes. Tracking industry

It is the foundation for the business models of numerous online platforms and for the huge, widespread network of the advertising and tracking industry behind them. So if you don't just want to ensure isolated improvements, you have to use this business model. Unfortunately, there is nothing about this in the legislation, on the contrary.

The taz is an independent, left-wing and opinionated daily newspaper. We have been arguing in our comments, essays and debate texts since the taz was founded in 1979. We often cannot and do not want to agree on an opinion. That's why you'll find some completely opposing positions here - all part of the very broad left-wing spectrum of opinions.

Even though the EU Commission has currently proposed improvements to the protection of consumers online, it is in the process of weakening protection elsewhere. Namely with a legislative package that is intended to reduce digital bureaucracy and simplify rules for companies, but the bottom line is that it is a gift for the economy and a step backwards for users. Fairness? This is different.