A Brief History of EU Digital Law and Policy—From ESPRIT to the Digital Decade

The historical trajectory of EU digital law and policy reveals a transformative journey from industrial competitiveness to a focus on digital sovereignty and societal values. Beginning with initiatives like the ESPRIT programme in the 1980s, the EU's approach has evolved through milestones such as the GSM standard, the Digital Agenda and the Digital Single Market strategy. Initially centred on market deregulation and technological advancement, the policies increasingly address the challenges of digital transformation, emphasising fundamental rights and European values. Legislative successes like GDPR and cybersecurity directives have cemented the EU's role as a global regulatory leader, shaping a coherent digital framework. This chapter examines how these strategies advanced European integration, fostering innovation while balancing economic priorities with societal benefits.