[pimterry]

> Imagine still having USB A because the EU said so.

The EU literally did mandate USB-A/plug + micro-USB (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_external_power_supply).

The successful development & widespread use of USB-C afterwards, culminating in this updated directive standardizing it, is a very neat demonstration that it didn't stifle innovation at all.

[ralfd]

Then why does Apple use lightning if the EU mandated otherwise?

Surely there must be a difference between the old and the new law. And this difference can then still be stifling innovation.

[kalleboo]

There wasn't a mandate - the EU asked the manufactures to adopt a standard "or else we'll look at regulating it", and that worked great, everyone adopted microUSB and then switched to USB-C just fine. Except Apple. And since Apple continually refused to get in line, we're now getting that "or else". Apple is who got the whole industry in this situation.

[enriquec]

hilarious that the people in favor can't even agree on the previous state of things... they just get high on "doing something" and forcing compliance - when in reality they've done nothing and have no concept of what creates innovation and progress

[Auracle]

That wasn’t a law, just a voluntary mandate.