They are the closest to doing it than anywhere else at least, and still edging in the direction of greater regulation not less or on a plateau.

Because most of that kind of industry is US based, and they earn money from EU users, so on one hand, you seem to be working "for the people", on the other hand, you fuck the americans :)

Probably because they're the jurisdiction that's taking user privacy rights the most seriously so far, with enough market share to leverage their demands.

The EU doesn't everything right in the digital sphere but at least some parts of it understand the importance of privacy.

Of course there is an opposition that believes this hinders digital development in Europe, which is quite slow or nonexistent, but that is also often caused by said opposition itself instead of privacy laws. Because the few digital experts need all their energy in fighting their ideas and corruption.

They don’t have a tech industry so they have nothing to lose from it.