AIG Newsletter 2 February 2026

NEWS

In this week's edition: The EP backs harmonised rules to deepen the Single Market and boost cross-border investment. The EP LIBE Committee discusses the Digital Omnibus Simplification Package with the Commission. Meanwhile, the EP IMCO Committee discusses the DFA, and the implementation of other digital rules. The EC states that social media platforms must adhere to the French minor social media ban while Meta and Youtube are in the courtroom fighting claims their platforms deliberately addict and harm children. Lastly, the EP JURI Committee adopted an own initiative report (INI) evaluating EU law-making in 2023 and 2024.

EP BACKS PROPOSAL FOR HARMONISED SINGLE MARKET RULES

On 20 January, the EP approved the 28th regime proposal, establishing harmonised rules for innovative companies across the EU to strengthen the single market and encourage cross-border investment. The approval provides recommendations that will shape a new EC proposal expected in the first quarter of 2026, with a key element being the Unified European Company for non-listed limited liability companies in the 27 member states. MEPs advocated for an EC-run multilingual digital portal for smooth operation and investor information access, easier access to funding including alternative financing, and tools for recruiting and retaining talent.

EP LIBE DISCUSSES DIGITAL OMNIBUS SIMPLIFICATION PACKAGE

On 26 January, during a discussion with the EP LIBE Committee on the Digital Omnibus Simplification Package, DG CNECT's Renate Nikolay and DG JUST's Ana Gallego explained that the proposals aimed to reduce red tape and boost competitiveness. It would also preserve GDPR core principles, through measures including simplified rules addressing cookie consent fatigue, single cybersecurity reporting, clearer high-risk AI standards, SME exemptions, regulatory sandboxes, consistent GDPR approaches, EU-level pseudonymisation guidance, and one EU-wide data protection impact assessment list instead of 27 national versions.

EP IMCO DISCCUSES THE DFA

On 26 January, DG JUST Consumers Director Isabelle Perignon presented the Digital Fairness Act (DFA) public consultationresults to the EP IMCO Committee. Key priorities included protecting minors online through limits on addictive design and personalised advertising, closing e-commerce and platform loopholes, improving transparency in digital contracts and virtual items, and ensuring harmonised rules across Member States. MEPs questioned enforcement, age verification, influencer definitions, video game regulation, and how the DFA would complement existing legislation such as the DSA whilst supporting SMEs and avoiding fragmentation. Proposals were expected to be published in Q4 2026.

EP IMCO GETS UPDATE ON DIGITAL RULES IMPLEMENTATION

On 26 January, the EP IMCO Committee received feedback from the DSA implementation Working Group, with Chair Schaldemose (S&D) reporting that the group met EVP Virkkunen on 16 December to discuss enforcement measures regarding X and TikTok. The next meeting was scheduled for 4 February focusing on systemic risks and mitigation measures.

IMCO also heard from the DMA implementation Working Group. MEP Echeverría (EPP) noted that the latest meeting took place on 13 January focussing on Amazon. This meeting was attended by representatives from the EC, Amazon, and stakeholder organisations representing SMEs and bookseller. In March 2024, the EC had opened a non-compliance investigation under Article 65 to assess whether Amazon engaged in self-referencing by favouring its own products over third-party sellers in ranking, indexing, or box allocations. The EP would continue to monitor Article 65 investigations.

Additionally, MEP Benifei (S&D) reported that the AI Act Working Groupheld an interparliamentary session on 8 December discussing AI governance, manufacturing and public services, AI's impact on democracy and human rights, and national enforcement mechanisms. The next meeting will focus on AI-generated labelling and the AI Digital Omnibus.

EC SAYS SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS MUST RESPECT FRENCH MINOR BAN

On 27 January, the EC stated that social media platforms must respect France's ban on under-15sfollowing a vote by French lawmakers the day before, but warned that only DSA enforcers can impose additional obligations on very large online platforms (VLOPs). French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to activate an accelerated procedure for the ban to take effect by the next school year. The EC referenced its July DSA guidelines allowing EU countries to establish a digital majority age and recommending the strictest age verification methods for high-risk platforms such as those selling alcohol, drugs, pornography or gambling content, with less stringent "age assurance" methods for lower-risk platforms.

META AND GOOGLE FACE YOUTH SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION TRIAL

A landmark trial began last week in the US against Meta and Google over claims their patforms deliberately addict and harm children. The case, brought by 19-year-old from the US, alleges use of Instagram, TikTok and YouTube led to depression and suicidal thoughts. TikTok reportedly settled hours before jury selection for an undisclosed sum. The lawsuit argues the companies made deliberate design choices to make platforms more addictive to children for profit. In Europe, families in Italy and France have filed class action lawsuits against Meta and TikTok, with the Italian case having its first hearing on 12 February.

EP JURI ADOPTS INI ON EU LAWMAKING EVALUATION

On 28 January, the EP JURI Committee adopted an own-initiative reportevaluating EU law-making in 2023 and 2024, which called for the EC to boost EU competitiveness by reducing regulatory obligations beyond the "one in, one out" principle, repealing legislative instruments whilst avoiding duplication and making competitiveness checks standard practice during legislative drafting. Furthermore, it encouraged regulatory sandboxes to support innovation, reduce compliance costs, and offer legal certainty for SMEs. MEPs stressed the need for cost-benefit analyses for all major legislative initiatives, and called for deployment of AI tools to monitor EU law implementation more efficiently, detect non-compliance earlier, and provide faster solutions. The report will now proceed to a plenary vote.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

3 February: Safeguarding openness and fair competition for a competitive Europe (Friends of Europe)

4 February: AI and disinformation – How can Europe safeguard trust in the media? (Euractiv)

5 February: Decentralised and Agentic AI: Opportunities and Solutions in the EU for Innovation, Competitiveness and Responsible AI (EC)

9 February: EP Plenary Session (Agenda))

10 February: AIG Exchange Partners Meeting

27 March: EDPB stakeholder event on political advertising - express your interest by 9 February by registering here.

Stand: 02.02.2026