Google Is Ready to Support European Digital Innovation, Says Eric Schmidt

Google chairman Eric Schmidt continued his company’s European charm offensive by telling a gathering in Berlin that the Silicon Valley company was ready to support the digital innovation coming out of Europe, but that the Continent had to get to a single digital market or fall behind in global competitiveness. Schmidt called the current fragmentation of laws ranging from privacy, copyright to intellectual property across the 28 members of the European Union “crazy.”

Regarding regular clashes with European regulators on issues ranging from data protection to anti-competitive charges, Schmidt said that Google was listening to European leaders, but that the situation would be helped if Europe spoke with one voice on digital matters. “We’re getting the messages, but it really helps if they’re saying the same things,” he said, adding that Europe had to get to a single digital market so that there could be clarity on business rules.