AIG Newsletter 19 Janurary 2026

NEWS

Welcome back to the first AIG newsletter of 2026. We hope you had a restful break during the festive period.

In this week's edition: Commissioner McGrath presents the 2030 Consumer Agenda and its key priorities during an EP Plenary Session. The Audiovisual Observatory releases its latest report on "News media, pluralism and journalism in the digital age". DG Connect publishes the results from its evaluation of EU Data Rules, while the EC reveals a summary and the responses received to its DMA revision consultation. Cyprus takes over the Council of the rotating EU Presidency and the first draft of the Code of Practice on Transparency of AI-Generated Content is published. Lastly, France contests the EC opinions on its fast-fashion bill.

EP PLENARY DISCUSSES 2030 CONSUMER AGENDA

On 17 December, Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath presented the four key priorities of the 2030 Consumer Agenda: eliminating Single Market barriers for consumers, strengthening digital fairness and protection, promoting sustainable consumption, and improving enforcement mechanisms. The agenda received broad cross-party support, with speakers linking consumer protection to sustainability, online fairness and the circular economy. Others called for enhanced enforcement, and market surveillance. Some cautioned against excessive regulation and legal uncertainty, arguing that effective enforcement, simplification and harmonisation should take precedence.

AUDIOVISUAL OBSERVATORY REPORT ON DIGITAL AGE NEWS MEDIA

On 18 December, the European Audiovisual Observatory, part of the Council of Europe, published its latest report "News media, pluralism and journalism in the digital age". The document explored how digital ecosystems have both expanded audience engagement and facilitated the spread of disinformation, and analysed the industry's transition from traditional advertising models to platform-dominated markets. It reviews key legislation protecting media freedom, identifying generative AI and disinformation as major threats.

DG CNECT PUBLISHES STUDY ON THE EVALUATION OF EU DATA RULES

On 12 January, the EC released a study evaluating the Free Flow of Non-Personal Data Regulation, the Open Data Directive, and the Data Governance Act. The study assessed their effectiveness, coherence, relevance, and complementary. The evaluation revealed that whilst the Open Data Directive had successfully facilitated the supply and reuse of public sector data, challenges remained in implementing high-value datasets. The Free Flow of Non-Personal Data Regulation had shown limitations in eliminating data localisation requirements, and the Data Governance Act suffered from inconsistent national implementation.

EC PUBLISHES DMA REVISION CONSULTATION SUMMARY

On 8 January, the EC published a summary and responses received to its DMA consultation.  Respondents were generally positive about the DMA's effects and called for improvements to interoperability, data access, and data portability. There were also calls to expand the Act's scope to cover AI and cloud services. However, gatekeepers expressed concerns about negative impacts on user experience and questioned the legislation's proportionality. The EC is expected to publish a report on the DMA review in May, incorporating these findings.

CYPRUS TAKES OVER PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL

Cyprus assumed the Presidency of the Council on 1 January as the final member of the Trio with Poland and Denmark. Against a backdrop of increasing global uncertainty, the Cypriot Presidency has positioned "autonomy" at the heart of its priorities. Competitiveness and digital transformation are central to the programme, with Cyprus intending to advance the EU's simplification agenda through trilogues on various omnibuses as well as new simplification packages covering digital, environment, and food.

DRAFT AI-GENERATED CONTENT CODE IS REVEALED

On 17 December, the EU AI Office published the first draft of the Code of Practice on Transparency of AI-Generated Content establishes guidelines for providers and deployers of AI systems under Article 50(2) and (4) of the EU AI Act. The Code notes that deployers must apply accessibility requirements and distinguishable labelling to deepfake content in commercials and advertisements. It also acknowledged that transparency obligations under the AI Act apply alongside existing legal responsibilities under other EU legislation, including consumer protection frameworks, and emphasised that whilst artistic and creative works receive proportionate treatment to avoid hampering their display or enjoyment, appropriate safeguards must still protect the rights and freedoms of depicted persons and audiences.

FRANCE CONTESTS EC OPINIONS OF ITS FAST-FASHION BILL (CONTEXTE)

According to Contexte, France has contested the EC's legal interpretation of its 'fast fashion' private member's bill following detailed the opinions sent in December. The EC argued that several measures contradicted the harmonising effects of the DSA. France maintained that the bill was a textile sector regulation not subject to DSA requirements. It also disputed the EC's objection to the ban on 'ultra-fast fashion' advertising, which Brussels claimed violated the E-commerce Directive's country of origin principle. Instead France is now seeking an exemption under Article 3 on consumer protection grounds. It did, however, accept the EC's environmental concerns and will amend the text to align with the waste framework directive. French parliamentarians are now awaiting the EC's response to France's letter.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

20 January: EP Plenary Session, discussion on tackling AI deepfakes and Cypriot Presidency programme(Agenda))

26 January: EP IMCO Committee Meeting to discuss DFA public consultation outcomes (Agenda)

26 January: EP workshop on Implementation of the Data Act: Guidelines on selected definitions

27 January: EP CULT Committee Meeting to hear priorities of the Cypriot Presidency (Agenda))

28 January: Data Protection Day 2026: Reset or refine? (EDPS and the Council of Europe)

28 January: Opening TV Inventory to Accessible Ads: Inside RMB's Step-by-Step Process (egta)

10 February: AIG Exchange Partners Meeting

Stand: 19.01.2026