In the fast-paced realm of technology, a persistent issue has taken center stage: the delayed payment of fines by major tech companies. Month after month, headlines announce hefty fines issued for price fixing, competitor suppression, and data misuse. However, the actual payment of these fines often languishes in bureaucratic limbo for years.

Read Also | Controversy Surrounding Shakib Al Hasan’s ‘Timed Out’ Appeal: Bangladesh Coach’s Perspective

The latest revelation from Ireland’s data regulator sheds light on Meta’s failure to settle a staggering two billion euros ($2.2 billion) in fines issued since September. Similarly, TikTok finds itself owing substantial sums. Even Amazon is entangled in legal battles, appealing a 746 million euro fine from 2021, as disclosed by Luxembourg’s data regulator. Meanwhile, Google continues to contest EU fines exceeding eight billion euros for market position abuse between 2017 and 2019.

Apple, no stranger to legal disputes, resists a 1.1 billion euro French antitrust fine and a directive to pay 13 billion euros in taxes to Ireland. The problem extends beyond the tech giants commonly in the spotlight, as demonstrated by X (formerly Twitter) in Australia, which has yet to pay a fine related to child sexual abuse content, prompting criticism and counter-litigation.

Critics argue that the current system of imposing fines fails to deter bad behavior in the tech industry, prompting a call for more decisive measures. Margarida Silva, a researcher at the Centre for Research on Multinationals, emphasizes that tech companies often exploit their disruptive reputation. Refusing to pay fines becomes a strategic move, challenging regulatory enforcement and causing prolonged legal battles.

Unlike industries such as finance, where paying fines serves as a means to reassure the public and investors, the tech sector seems immune to financial penalties. Romain Rard, a lawyer at Gide Loyrette Nouel in Paris, defends the appeal process, stating that appealing significant penalties is a common-sense business strategy.

While some tech companies have successfully overturned or reduced billion-dollar fines on appeal, the European system differs from those in China or the United States. In Europe, fines are not announced as settlements at the end of a lengthy process, creating a distinct regulatory landscape.

Activists argue that the financial impact of penalties is negligible for these tech behemoths, citing the uneven application of rules. Max Schrems, an Austrian lawyer advocating for data rights, criticizes Ireland’s Data Protection Commission for leniency in appeals processes and issuing fines that he deems too small.

In response, Ireland’s deputy data protection commissioner, Graham Doyle, defends the commission’s record, emphasizing corrective measures alongside fines. Activists concur that fines alone are insufficient; competition regulators must play a more robust role.

Read Also | Nokia to Cut 14,000 Jobs in Bold Cost-Cutting Move Amid Challenging Market

Margarida Silva urges regulators to intervene decisively, calling for a halt to future tech sector mergers and acquisitions. She proposes undoing past damage, even contemplating the breakup of these colossal tech conglomerates. According to Silva, addressing the root issues, such as the acquisitions that shaped Meta’s dominance, is essential for a meaningful shift in the tech industry’s behavior.