Ver.di Calls for Big Tech Accountability

Ver.di Warns: Big Tech's Unchecked Influence Threatens Democracy

Christoph Schmitz-Dethlefsen, a federal board member of Ver.di for media, has raised an alarm about the urgent need to bolster democracy's resilience. He has warned that large tech platforms, currently not held accountable like traditional media, are exerting significant political and societal influence.

Schmitz-Dethlefsen pointed out that as of November 2025, there's no concrete German government proposal to legally classify these platforms as editorial media or impose equivalent responsibilities. While discussions at the federal level are ongoing, they mainly focus on implementing the EU’s AI Act and Digital Services Act, which increase transparency and accountability but stop short of equating platforms with editorial media. Ideas like the Greens' proposal to introduce a special levy on online advertising revenue to finance media diversity are being considered, but not to treat them as traditional media.

Schmitz-Dethlefsen suggests that if these platforms function like editorial media, they should be regulated accordingly with associated rights and obligations. He called for an end to Big Tech platforms evading responsibility due to provider privileges. The union highlighted the influence of figures like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Sam Altman, stressing the need for greater accountability.

Ver.di services union has called for increased accountability of Big Tech platforms, arguing that dominant online platforms are no longer neutral intermediaries but have become curating media. Schmitz-Dethlefsen's warning underscores the need for urgent action to strengthen democracy's resilience in the face of these platforms' growing influence.