Except so far the only time they’ve actually gotten any fines paid by anyone significant, the initial multi-billion euro fine on Meta was settles for only a few hundred million euro after half a decade of litigation and ended up including all subsequent fines in what was forgiven despite them continuing the activity.
In theory it should dissuade them, but the companies being fined that really deserve it have annual profits greater than most countries’ GDPs. They can litigate indefinitely against the entire EuroBlock and keep making a profit from the activities while doing it.
Its worth remembering that EU fines are not one and done, if you don’t fix the problem they fine you repeatedly.
Except so far the only time they’ve actually gotten any fines paid by anyone significant, the initial multi-billion euro fine on Meta was settles for only a few hundred million euro after half a decade of litigation and ended up including all subsequent fines in what was forgiven despite them continuing the activity. In theory it should dissuade them, but the companies being fined that really deserve it have annual profits greater than most countries’ GDPs. They can litigate indefinitely against the entire EuroBlock and keep making a profit from the activities while doing it.