Big Tech and EU Law

This book explores the use of EU law by Big Tech in the transatlantic context. Elaine Fahey examines how digital platforms utilise both top-down and bottom-up approaches to litigate, lobby and lawyer global standards, analysing their attempts to strategically exploit the legislation.

Drawing on detailed case studies, chapters cover aspects of EU law ranging from data transfer and data protection to intermediary liability and competition law. They critically assess Big Tech’s direct engagement with consumers and its relationship with the EU as a global digital actor, outlining the state of many sectoral battles it has waged with European regulators and courts. Fahey considers how Europe’s initial first mover advantage on data regulation is used in practice, emphasising the transnational dimension of data while investigating Big Tech’s efforts to take advantage of this. Ultimately, the book underscores the importance of adopting a holistic approach to the legal challenges posed by Big Tech in a globalised world.

This book will appeal to students and scholars of international law, EU law and policy, regulation and governance, political science and international relations. It is also a useful resource for transatlantic policymakers, regulators and entrepreneurs in both the EU and the US.