After Monday’s 3-hour «job interview» before MEPs, Andrus Ansip left no doubt of being fit as digital commissioner. As seen in feedback, big parties and Pirates were equally pleased. Last night, Brussels announced internal market and consumer protection committee approved Mr Ansip as one.
Success of Mr Ansip is somewhat due to Estonia’s leadership position in things digital as well of our overall good reputation in Brussels as assisted by the good commissioner-job done by Siim Kallas. At least as important, though, the excellent preparations by Mr Ansip and his team in specifying main issues of the domain. Cyber crime, e-services, and data collection problems, being complex and relatively fresh, are not topics adequately understood by all politicians. The nicer, then the Pirate Party comment: Ansip said nothing embarrassing. Not always the case with politicians...
Obviously, the goal being common EU digital market, lots of problems stand to be solved – beginning with the diversity of digital rules in member states, and ending with a main question: how about the security/privacy balance? Clearly, difficult, if not impossible, to fulfil the common digital dream without trust in the people. Large corporations such as Google or Facebook, using people’s data for their own interests, have rather made matters worse.
As also pointed out by international media. Both New York Times and Wall Street Journal noted the EU digital commissioner would be a person keeping an eye on US tech giant data collection, plus reminding American politicians of importance of protecting net data.
As balm for many an Estonian soul, obviously, Mr Ansip almost admitted the ACTA mess was terrible, a thing caused by low involvement and a mistake to be learned from. Also approved by Pirate Party was Mr Ansip’s vow to participate in web discussions with all EU citizens able to pose questions.
To do an excellent job as digital commissioner, Mr Ansip has all that it takes. Having the knowledge, an understanding of the problems, and a vision how to solve these. And, what’s most important, that things can only be done together with citizens, hearing the, considering them. If all that goes to action, Mr Ansip ought to be in for a success story. So, good luck Mr Digital Commissioner!
