Danish government plans to rein in tech giants
Two SODAS professors co-authored recommendations to be turned into policy
On Monday, the Danish government revealed plans to implement stricter control over the business models of large technology companies, particularly concerning their collection and use of personal data. One key aspect of this plan is to enhance data protection measures for children, including improved age verification processes with a higher age limit.
The government's initiative for tighter regulations on tech giants is based on the work of a technology expert group established last year. It includes two professors from SODAS, Rebecca Adler-Nissen and Sune Lehmann, who both have expertise on tech giants and their societal effects.
Alongside the government’s announcement, the expert group published a report with 13 concrete recommendations aiming to limit the negative impact of the technology sector on Danish society. This means restricting harmful design practices by technology companies, such as mechanisms designed to draw users back to apps again and again. It also involves establishing control over their abilities to harvest data, and predict or influence human behavior.
Professor Adler-Nissen comments: “For many years, the business models of tech giants have been seen as impossible to control democratically or regulate. I’m very happy and proud that our expertise and research, with the support of the Danish public administration, have led to concrete recommendations that the Danish government can now use both nationally and at the EU level. The goal is to ensure that digital technologies in the hands of a few global companies do not undermine individual rights and society as a whole."
The Danish government plans to have a draft bill based on these recommendations ready after the summer holidays.
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DR (Danish public media) covering the government’s announcement:
https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/politik/regeringens-vil-begraense-techgiganter-boern-skal-verificere-alder-faa-adgang-til
Mikkel Flyverbom, chairman of the external tech expert group, elaborating on the recommendations in an interview for the Copenhagen Business School (CBS):
https://www.cbs.dk/en/cbs-agenda/areas/news/expert-group-ready-to-tighten-social-media-regulations-it-is-time-to-regain-control