Big Tech’s ‘nemesis’ in EU gets new term - and more power

LONDON — The European Union’s competition chief is getting a new term - with expanded powers - in a move that underlines how the bloc’s battle to regulate big tech companies is only just beginning. Ursula von der Leyen, the incoming president of the EU’s powerful executive arm, promoted Vestager to a commission executive vice-president overseeing the EU’s digital innovation and leadership efforts, including artificial intelligence. Vestager slapped Google with 8.25 billion euros in fines for repeatedly abusing its market dominance to stifle competition, in antitrust cases involving the online giant’s shopping search results, Google’s Android software and Adsense ad service. She also ordered Apple to pay back up to 13 billion euros in back taxes from Ireland, which prompted President Donald Trump to call her the “tax lady” who “really hates the U.S.” This summer, Vestager took action against two more U.S. tech companies.