Europe’s digital ecosystem largely depends on foreign platforms and it’s time to change that, this DLD26 session, moderated by André Loesekrug-Pietri, makes clear. Former European Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager and Danish entrepreneur Thomas Madsen-Mygdal present Rebuild, a non-profit initiative that aims to bring attention to a new generation of European social platforms.
“Our news, our community, our democracy depends on U.S. social platforms and Chinese ones”, Margrethe Vestager says. This is as unhealthy for Europe as relying on Russian oil and critical minerals from China. “We need to say, ‘Thank you, but this was it with the dependencies.’”
Rebuild is intended as a 12-month sprint to support European alternatives to platforms like TikTok, Instagram or Youtube. The initiative seeks to catalyze the development of innovative, community-oriented platforms from all over the continent.
“We need to build better products and more meaningful products that have different design principles that are not designed for addiction, that are designed for healthy lives”, Thomas Madsen-Mygdal says. “There’s a great room for innovation. We’re just trying to encourage you.”
Vestager and Madsen-Mygdal call on European entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers to join this movement, urging attendees to explore alternatives, promote local platforms, and shift their perspectives. “Curiosity is the beginning of everything good”, Vestager says, as she advocates for experimentation and collaboration.
