European Commission

Much of the attention on the European Commission’s recent proposal for a Cloud and AI Development Act (“CADA Proposal”) has focused on its proposed cloud sovereignty framework, the implications for cloud service providers and public sector cloud use, and the mechanisms intended to encourage data centre development in the EU (we discuss those aspects of the CADA Proposal in more detail in our post here).

But the CADA Proposal also contains several express references to the development of the EU quantum computing sector, which suggests that quantum computing may be embedded within the EU’s wider cloud, AI, and data centre strategy, and that the Commission may promote the development of the technology in that context (rather than treating it as a separate technology policy issue). That approach is consistent with the Commission’s July 2025 Quantum Strategy and its expected proposal for a Quantum Act later this year, both of which focus on building the industrial base for quantum computers in Europe (we describe the Quantum Strategy and the likely themes of the forthcoming Quantum Act in our prior post here).

In this post, we outline the two main mechanisms through which the CADA Proposal would support the development and deployment of quantum computing in Europe, in advance of the Quantum Act.

Continue Reading How the European Commission aims to promote the EU quantum sector through the Cloud and AI Development Act

On 3 June 2026, the European Commission (“Commission“) published its proposal for a Regulation establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s cloud and AI ecosystem—the Cloud and AI Development Act (“CADA Proposal“). The CADA Proposal sits at the heart of the Commission’s broader Tech Sovereignty Package (which we describe at…

Continue Reading The EU Cloud and AI Development Act in Depth

On 19 May 2026, the European Commission published its long-awaited draft, non-binding guidelines on the classification of high-risk AI systems (“HRAIs”) under the EU AI Act (the “Guidelines”). Across three documents—covering general principles, high-risk classification in the context of regulated products (Annex I), and high-risk use cases (Annex III)—the Commission sets out its approach to one of the AI Act’s central questions: when does an AI system fall within the high-risk regime (and, just as importantly, when does it not)?

Continue Reading EU AI Act Update: The European Commission Publishes Draft Guidelines on HRAIs

On 27 May 2026, the European Commission (“Commission”) published its proposal for a Regulation on the authorisation of systems providing mobile satellite services (“MSSs”) in the harmonised 2 GHz frequency band (1980–2010 MHz and 2170–2200 MHz) (the “MSS Regulation Proposal”). The existing rights of use in the band are due to expire in May 2027, and the Commission is using that deadline to overhaul the framework for granting spectrum authorisations for MSS provides. This Proposal will therefore be of particular interest to MSS providers wishing to expand their footprint in the EU, as well as terrestrial mobile network operators contemplating satellite partnerships, and other space sector participants, as it may increase the number of operators in the European MSS sector.
Continue Reading A Single EU Authorisation for Satellite Spectrum: The Commission’s Proposal for a New 2 GHz Mobile Satellite Services Regulation

On May 8, 2026, the European Commission (“Commission”) published draft guidelines (“Guidelines”) on the implementation of the transparency obligations under Article 50 of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act (“AI Act”), opening a targeted consultation that runs until June 3, 2026.

The Guidelines are non-binding, but they are the first Commission instrument to provide interpretive guidance across the full scope of Article 50. They were prepared in parallel with the related, but more narrowly scoped, Code of Practice on Transparency of AI-Generated Content (“Code of Practice” or “Code”), the second draft of which was published on March 5, 2026.

Continue Reading 10 Takeaways: European Commission Draft Guidelines on AI Transparency under the EU AI Act

In a recent addition to the EU’s evolving digital rulebook, the European Commission has published a set of Guidelines under the European Media Freedom Act (“EMFA”). The Guidelines advise very large online platforms, as defined under the Digital Services Act (“DSA”), on how to set up a functionality that lets media organisations identify themselves—and, in…

Continue Reading European Commission Issues Guidelines on Article 18 of the European Media Freedom Act

On 21 January 2026, the European Commission (“Commission”) unveiled its landmark proposal for the Digital Networks Act (“DNA Proposal”), an ambitious attempt to overhaul the framework for the regulation and development of electronic communications networks and services across the EU. The Commission’s stated aim with the DNA Proposal is to establish a “modern and simplified legal framework that incentivises the transition from legacy networks to fibre, high quality 5G and 6G networks, and cloud-based infrastructures, as well as increased scale through service provision and cross-border operation.” To do this, the DNA Proposal would replace and consolidate several existing EU laws, including the European Electronic Communications Code (“EECC”), the BEREC Regulation, and parts of the Open Internet Regulation and e-Privacy Directive.

A key theme of the proposal is harmonization of rules—arising first and foremost from the fact that this is a directly-applicable Regulation rather than a Directive like the current European Electronic Communications Code. Several of the substantive provisions in the DNA Proposal may take a significant amount of influence over the communications networks and services away from Member State governments and up to EU level. In turn, the Commission clearly hopes to promote larger-scale communications network and service providers that can operate across the EU, and that have the funds to invest in modern communications infrastructure. The DNA Proposal could, therefore, have a substantial and long-lasting impact on the connectivity and communications markets in the EU, although we anticipate significant debate about many of the provisions of the DNA Proposal throughout the legislative process.

Below, we summarize seven of the most eye-catching changes to the regulatory framework for communications providers in the DNA Proposal.

Continue Reading Seven Major Changes in the European Commission’s Proposal for an EU Digital Networks Act

The Commission has issued a call for evidence in relation to its 2026 evaluation and review of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (“AVMSD”). 

The AVMSD came into force in 2010 and establishes the EU’s regulatory framework for audiovisual media services.  It governs the EU level coordination of national legislation on all audiovisual media, including traditional TV broadcasts and on-demand services.

The first review of the AVMSD was carried out in 2018 and resulted in the introduction of new provisions governing video sharing platforms.

Under Article 33 of AVMSD, the Commission is required to assess the impact and added value of the AVMSD and present an ex-post evaluation report, accompanied where appropriate by proposals for reviewing the Directive, by 19 December 2026.  This second review of the AVMSD is also part of the Commission’s commitments in the recently announced European Democracy Shield, which aims to foster the EU media sector to achieve stronger and more resilient democracies. 

Continue Reading The European Commission calls for evidence ahead of its 2026 evaluation and review of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive

Before issuing a proposal for a Quantum Act, the European Commission has issued a call for evidence (“Call for Evidence”), asking for views from all stakeholders on the best approach to addressing structural problems that the Commission has identified in the areas of research, industrial capacity, and supply chain resilience. Industry stakeholders already grappling with multiple EU data and cyber-related laws, regulations, and assessment procedures may be most interested in the proposal to develop an EU-level monitoring and resilience framework for supply chain products needed to build quantum technologies. The Call for Evidence is open until 26 November 2025

Continue Reading European Commission launches a call for evidence on the impact assessment for the forthcoming EU Quantum Act

On 8 October 2025, the European Commission published its Apply AI Strategy (the “Strategy”), a comprehensive policy framework aimed at accelerating the adoption and integration of artificial intelligence (“AI”) across strategic industrial sectors and the public sector in the EU.

The Strategy is structured around three pillars: (1) introducing sectoral flagships to boost AI use in key industrial sectors; (2) addressing cross-cutting challenges; and (3) establishing a single governance mechanism to provide sectoral stakeholders a way to participate in AI policymaking.

The Apply AI Strategy is accompanied by the AI in Science Strategy, and it will be complemented by the Data Union Strategy (which is anticipated later this year).

Continue Reading European Commission Publishes Apply AI Strategy to Accelerate Sectoral AI Adoption Across the EU