Regulating Through Fear: How The Data Protection Commission’s Heavy-Handed Approach Risks Fortressing The EU Tech Market

This policy article examines how the Irish Data Protection Commission’s (DPC) increasingly aggressive enforcement of GDPR, marked by disproportionate fines, opaque investigations, and limited transparency, risks undermining both Ireland’s digital economy and the EU’s tech market openness. It argues that this punitive trajectory may deter foreign direct investment, stifle innovation, and create a form of “regulatory market fortressing.” Drawing parallels to sudden tax hikes, the article warns that unpredictable enforcement acts as a hidden deterrent to global tech firms. It advocates for a recalibrated, transparent, and proportional approach to data regulation that preserves both accountability and economic competitiveness.

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DPC Critique.pdf

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