Descriptions:
European Commissioner Michael McGrath sits down with Bloomberg Technology during a Silicon Valley visit to discuss the EU’s forthcoming Digital Fairness Act, a legislative proposal designed to close remaining gaps in EU consumer protection law that existing frameworks like the Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA) do not fully address. McGrath, who met with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman during the trip, says the Act will target dark patterns, addictive design features, opaque subscription cancellation flows, and the conduct of social media influencers — areas where current EU law leaves enforcement ambiguities.
McGrath frames the Digital Fairness Act as pro-innovation rather than an additional regulatory burden, arguing that a single harmonized EU rulebook is preferable to the fragmented patchwork of national initiatives that currently creates compliance complexity for US and European companies alike. He reports that major US tech firms, while critical of specific provisions, consistently ask for clarity and consistent application — something the Act is intended to deliver. The proposal is expected to be finalized in 2026.
The conversation also covers child safety online, the EU’s approach to deepfakes and nonconsensual intimate imagery, and how McGrath distinguishes the commission’s regulatory philosophy — balancing guardrails with support for innovation — from a more adversarial framing. For AI product teams with European deployments, the Digital Fairness Act represents a meaningful addition to an already complex compliance landscape.
📺 Source: Bloomberg Technology · Published April 15, 2026
🏷️ Format: Interview
