Digitisation Minister Prof. Dr. Kristina Sinemus, photography by Salome Roessler.
At the Bundesrat session, wherein the European Commission’s Digital Markets Act was discussed, Hesse’s Digitisation Minister Prof. Dr. Kristina Sinemus spoke out clearly in favour of “regulation with a sense of proportion”. “We must set clear limits for large internet platforms – without over-regulation,” the Minister emphasised in her speech. “The Digital Markets Act is overdue to get fair and transparent competition”.
“The Digital Markets Act would set the course for a fair platform economy and create opportunities for local information and communication technology companies and start-ups”. The regulation aims to ensure fairness on large online platforms with very high market power. Together with the Digital Services Act, the law is one of the core elements of the EU digital strategy.
Hesse’s Digitisation Minister is convinced that Europe had to catch up in the digital markets of the future, as only twelve of the 100 largest platforms were located in Europe. This requires the right regulatory environment so that innovative business models remain possible in Europe.
“New innovative platforms and digital services should also increasingly be created in Germany and Europe. After all, we have a strong industrial base in Hesse and Germany and many innovative companies in information and communication technology for which platforms are becoming increasingly important,” said Dr. Sinemus.
According to a survey by the Federal Network Agency, small and medium-sized enterprises in particular need platforms for marketing and sales. “The rights of commercial and private end users should be strengthened. Therefore, we are in favour of regulation with a sense of proportion.”
Prof. Dr. Kristina Sinemus (b. 16 September 1963 in Darmstadt, Hesse) is the Hessian Minister of Digital Strategy and Development since 18 January 2019. She holds a doctorate in Biology from the Technical University of Darmstadt, and is a Professor in Public Affairs from the Quadriga College Berlin (Quadriga Hochschule Berlin).
For further information
Hessian Ministry for Digital Strategy and Development: https://digitales.hessen.de//
About Minister Prof. Dr. Kristina Sinemus: https://digitales.hessen.de/ueber-uns/ministerin-sinemus
Allocution of Minister Sinemus at the 1002 Plenary session of the Bundesrat: https://www.bundesrat.de/DE/service/mediathek/mediathek-node.html?cms_id=2014969
