European Commission

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 2025Continue 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

The EU e-evidence Regulation and Directive, which establish a regime for law enforcement authorities (“LEAs”) in one Member State to issue legally-binding demands for data from certain types of providers established in other Member States, will come into effect on 18 August 2026 (our post on the specific requirements of the Regulation and Directive is available here). On 28 July 2025, the European Commission adopted an Implementing Regulation (“IR”) setting out the technical specifications for the decentralized communications system that LEAs and covered service providers must use when, among other things, issuing and responding to European Production Orders (“EPOs”) and European Preservation Orders (“EPrOs”) under the e-evidence Regulation.Continue Reading European Commission adopts technical standards for the decentralized communication system to be used under the forthcoming e-evidence Regulation

On July 10, 2025, the AI Office published the final version of the Code of Practice for General-Purpose AI Models (the “Code”).  The Code is a voluntary compliance tool designed to help companies comply with the AI Act obligations for providers of general-purpose AI (“GPAI”) models.  The AI Office and the AI Board will now assess the Code and may approve it via an adequacy decision.  Once approved, the European Commission is expected to formally adopt the Code via an implementing act.

The Code details how providers of GPAI models may comply with their obligations under the AI Act.  It comprises three chapters, each covering different aspects of AI Act compliance: (i) transparency, (ii) copyright, and (iii) safety and security.  The first two chapters apply to all providers of GPAI models, while the third addresses obligations for providers of GPAI models with systemic risk.  By adhering to the Code, signatories agree to implement their AI practices in accordance with the commitments contained in the Code.Continue Reading AI Office Publishes Final Version of the Code of Practice for General-Purpose AI Models

On 14 July 2025, the European Commission published its final guidelines on the protection of minors under the Digital Services Act (“DSA”) (the “Guidelines”). The Guidelines are intended to provide guidance to providers of online platforms that are “accessible to minors” on meeting their obligations to “put in place appropriate and proportionate measures to ensure a high level of privacy, safety, and security of minors, on their service” (DSA, Art. 28(1)).

The European Commission published a draft version of the guidelines for consultation on 13 May 2025 (“Draft Guidelines”) (see our blog post here). The final Guidelines include some amendments to the Draft Guidelines on the basis of the feedback received during consultation, clarifying and building out further the recommended measures.

Although the Guidelines are non-binding, the Commission has made clear that it intends to use the Guidelines as a “significant and meaningful” benchmark when assessing in-scope providers’ compliance with Article 28(1) DSA.Continue Reading European Commission Makes New Announcements on the Protection of Minors Under the Digital Services Act

On 25 June 2025, the European Commission (“EC”) announced its long-awaited proposal for a Regulation on the safety, resilience, and sustainability of space activities in the EU (the “Draft EU Space Act” or “Draft EUSA”). The Draft EUSA proposes to impose obligations on providers of “space services,” which are:

  • The operation and control of human-made objects sent to space;
  • The provision of space launch services;
  • Services provided by “primary providers of space-based data,” a term covering providers that carry out the first processing of either communications data or observation data received from outer space (which may include electronic communications service providers);
  • In-space services and operations; and
  • Collision-avoidance services.

Most of the obligations in the Draft EUSA would apply to providers of space services that are located in the EU, and those located outside the EU but that provide services to space operators in the EU. However, the rules on safety described below would apply to space objects that generate data or enable the provision of space services in the EU. These rules, and certain rules on collision avoidance, would also apply to space objects that at or lower than a geostationary orbit.

The explanatory memorandum notes that 13 EU Member States have passed national legislation related to space, which creates the risk of a fragmented internal market for the space sector. The Draft EUSA therefore establishes rules in four main areas in an attempt to harmonize the law relating to this sector, namely authorization and registration requirements, and obligations to ensure safety, resilience, and sustainability of space services. We describe these in more detail below.Continue Reading The European Commission announces a proposal for the first EU Space Act

There is an ongoing debate in Brussels about the circumstances under which AI-based safety components integrated into radio equipment are subject to the requirements for high-risk AI systems of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act 2024/1689 (the “AI Act”). The debate is particularly relevant because, if AI-based safety components are considered high-risk under the AI Act, they will be subject to a comprehensive set of regulatory requirements under the AI Act as of August 2, 2027. These requirements include risk management, data quality measures, transparency towards users, human oversight, as well as obligations relating to accuracy, robustness, and cybersecurity.

The discussion affects devices like smartphones with AI-driven emergency call features, smart home safety systems, smart home appliances and drones using AI for obstacle avoidance and emergency landing. In effect, many, if not all, of the AI-based safety components of internet-connected radio equipment could be subject to the AI Act’s requirements for high-risk AI systems.

Below we briefly outline the framework of the current debate.Continue Reading When is a Safety Component of Radio Equipment a High-Risk AI System Under the EU Artificial Intelligence Act?