Security News > 2020 > November > All Bark No Byte? Unease Over Irish Performance as EU's Lead Data Watchdog
Two years after the EU launched its landmark GDPR data rights charter, there are signs Ireland is faltering in its outsized role as regulator of many of the most powerful digital giants.
"It's a blessing for Ireland economically to be the seat of these big digital companies for Europe, and that brings a lot of revenue," one EU Commission official with deep knowledge of the area told AFP. "With this, of course, comes an obligation. With the role as a lead regulator it has a duty to the citizens all over Europe."
Little of the tax bonanza from tech companies is funnelled into Ireland's Data Protection Commission, which acts as the EU's regulator for firms like Facebook and their services such as Whatsapp and Instagram.
Ireland's Data Protection Commissioner, Helen Dixon, said the organisation was "Disappointed" by the 2020 government allocation of 16.9 million euros.
If Ireland's DPC becomes the first watchdog to impose such a stinging penalty accusations its bark is worse than its bite may begin to fade.