Digital Power, European Style: Thierry Breton on the EU’s Strategy for Taming Tech

As the European Union imposes its first fines under the landmark Digital Markets Act, former Commissioner Thierry Breton joins The Brussels Beat for his first Brussels interview since leaving office. Far from declaring victory, Breton calls the penalties against Apple and Meta “regrettable”—a signal not of enforcement success, but of corporate failure. In this episode, we unpack why Europe’s goal was dialogue, not punishment; how soft power still underpins Brussels’ regulatory strategy; and what’s next for Google, TikTok, and the future of global tech governance. Tune in for a sharp conversation about rules, resistance, and the recalibration of power in the digital age.