Werbung und Marktkommunikation, Fachgruppe

AIG Newsletter 24 November 2025

Advertising Information Group-Newsletter

Lesedauer: 4 Minuten

CONTENT:

NEWS
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

NEWS

In this week's edition: The EP IMCO Committee receives a progress update from the DMA working group and convenes to discuss age verification and social media. Meanwhile, the EC publishes its long-awaited Digital Omnibus, Data Union Strategy, and Five-Year Consumer Agenda while also launching a call for expression of interest to establish the Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Internet Standards. A leaked EC Cardiovascular Health Plan confirms the upcoming AVMSD review will specifically examine the need for stronger regulation on advertising targeted at children. Finally, the Dutch Privacy Authority cracks down on several websites to update their misleading cookie banners.

EP IMCO HEARS BACK FROM THE DMA WORKING GROUP

On 10 November, the EP IMCO Committee was briefed by the Chair of the DMA Working Group, MEP Schwab, regarding a meeting with Meta following the EC's non-compliance decision and €200 million fine. Schwab criticised the lack of transparency from both Meta and the EC, emphasised that free access without payment through personal data was a fundamental EU principle. He also noted that the group challenged Meta on its compliance with Article 5(2), questioning whether consent can be considered truly free when the alternative is a paid service, citing a BEUC report as evidence.

EP IMCO DISCUSSES AGE VERIFICATION AND SOCIAL MEDIA

On 12 November, the EP IMCO Committee examined proposed amendments to its draft opinion regarding social media's impact on young people. The amendments advocated for implementing age verification mechanisms; restricting platform access to minors; enhancing digital literacy; and equipping teachers and parents with protective tools – specifically proposing an age limit of 16 for riskier platforms and video-sharing services. Alongside this was a recommendation for a privacy-preserving EU-wide age verification system and a suggestion for 13 as the minimum age for general social media access. An EC representative noted that the Commission's protective measures were embedded in the Digital Services Act and the Audiovisual Media Services Directive, and confirmed ongoing trials of an age verification system across five Member States.

EC UNVEILS ITS DIGITAL OMNIBUS AND DATA UNION STRATEGY

On 19 November, the EC unveiled its highly anticipated Digital Omnibus, a comprehensive package designed to simplify and streamline several EU regulations. The initiative aligns high-risk AI requirements with the availability of standards and support tools, extends regulatory simplifications to small mid-cap companies alongside SMEs, and strengthens the AI Office's oversight of general-purpose AI models. It also introduces targeted GDPR amendments aiming to harmonise compliance without compromising data protection, and modernised cookie rules seek to enhance user experience. The Digital Omnibus comprises two regulatory proposals, and is accompanied by a consultation on the Digital Fitness Check, open until 11 March 2026.

In the same announcement, the EC unveiled its European Data Union Strategy, aiming to enhance competitiveness by facilitating AI development through improved access to high-quality data and establishing data laboratories to deliver pseudonymisation services.

EC PUBLISHES CONSUMER AGENDA 2025-2030

The EC 2025-2030 Consumer Agenda encompasses four key priority areas: completing the single market for consumers; enhancing digital fairness through a proposed Digital Fairness Act in 2026 to combat dark patterns and protect children online; promoting sustainable consumption by supporting implementation of laws against greenwashing and encouraging circular economy practices; and strengthening enforcement and redress mechanisms, particularly through a review of the Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation in 2026.

EC SEEKS INTEREST TO CREATE INTERNET STANDARDS FORUM

On 10 November, the EC launched a call for expressions of interest to establish the Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Internet Standards Deployment, which will develop guidance for implementing internet standards under the NIS2 Directive and assist entities with regulatory compliance. Whilst the call for expressions of interest closes on 12 December for those wishing to attend the Forum's first meeting scheduled for 21-22 January 2026, the Forum will continue to accept new members throughout its operation.

CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH PLAN: WHAT ABOUT ADVERTISING?

The leaked EU Cardiovascular Health Plan addresses the role of marketing in contributing to cardiovascular disease risk factors, particularly amongst children and young people who are vulnerable to advertising for unhealthy foods high in fat, sugar and salt, as well as tobacco and emerging nicotine products via social media platforms. The Plan confirms the upcoming AVMSD review will specifically examine the need for stronger regulation on advertising targeted at children, whilst encouraging co-regulation and self-regulation to limit children's exposure to marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages.

DUTCH PRIVACY AUTHORITY ACTIONS COOKIE POP-UPS

The Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) has prompted three-quarters of more than 200 websites to update their misleading cookie banners following warnings, whilst launching enforcement action against those that have failed to comply. The AP emphasised that individuals must be able to freely decide whether their internet behaviour is tracked, as tracking cookies enable organisations to monitor people over time, build profiles and predict behaviour, with data often shared amongst dozens or hundreds of third parties without users' knowledge.