The only effect of gdpr is having to click on a trillion check marks
This is only the visible part of the iceberg for regular users and I agree it sucks. But most importantly GDPR take companies accountable for personal data management and data-breaches. They are mandated by law to disclose publicly when they have suffered a data-breach, which was not the case anywhere before, and still isn't the case in the US. It also mandates the data of EU-citizens must be managed and stored in the EU, and cannot be saved more than 1 year without renewed consent. GDPR is a very meaningful progress.
For all the agriculture and environment topics, I agree with you that it is a debacle.
Who else is holding them and other GAFAM accountable to any capacity? Not any single country by itself has this level of influence. Is it enough? No! Is better than anything done elsewhere? Yes!
This is what I want of the EU. I want it to do better. Especially for the environment, public transports, social protection. I believe the vote I casted last Sunday reflects that. I am sad not many of my compatriots see things the same way. But that's the system we have to deal with. It's true that 1 vote every 5 years, isn't as democratic as I wish.
Ah yes, such accountability. 5 whole ass fines (for an evil company like Google that probably deserves 10x more) of which they made the money back in less than 3 days lmao
I can't believe someone who seems as smart as you seem to be can look at that and be like "yes, this is meaningful" lmao. GDPR had absolutely no impact whatsoever. It's the most pointless piece of legislation ever passed by the EU and the competition is pretty stiff in that category. They fucking regulated the shape of fucking bananas and cucumbers. They ban companies from saying drinking water hydrates you.
Look, feel free to believe the EU gives half a fuck, in reality it's just the same bunch of neoliberal vampires who need to get publicly executed for their crimes against the people.