European Union antitrust chief warns against breaking up Big Tech firms

Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission

As the European Union continues to plan greater taxation and restrictions on big technology firms, its chief antitrust enforcer says plans to break them up would be "doable," but risky.

"I don't think it is something that should be introduced in this legislation," EU digital policy and antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager told The Information. "And I think one should be very careful with that type of remedy because one should be very sure how it would actually work."

"It would tie you up in court for a very, very long time," she continued. "I think it's important we try these routes first with the platforms."

However, Vestager comments come as other EU officials have indicated that they would welcome breaking up these companies. They include Thierry Breton, the EU's Internal Market Commissioner, who has previously pressured Tim Cook over the privacy aspects of Apple's coronavirus contact tracing.