AIG Newsletter 28 July 2025

NEWS

In this week's edition: The EP IMCO Committee receives key updates on DSA and DMA implementation and discusses implementation of the Political Advertising Regulation. Meanwhile, the EC publishes its new guidelines for protecting minors online, launches its long-awaited consultation on the Digital Fairness Act and unveils its guidelines for providers of general-purpose AI models. Danish Digital Affairs Minister, Caroline Stage Olsen outlines Denmark's two key digital priorities during an exchange of views with the EP ITRE Committee. Finally, the EP CULT Committee discusses the protection of minors online.

EP IMCO CHECKS IN ON DSA & DMA PROGRESS

On 15 July, the EP IMCO Committee received updates from the DSA and DMA working groups. MEP Schaldemose reported that the DSA Working Group had been conducting discussions with the EC covering Article 28 guidelines, minor protection, AI, and platform age restrictions. On the DMA front, MEP Schwab stressed the need for strengthened DMA enforcement targeting market power and conduct, with discussions addressing big tech's compliance efforts and ongoing investigations under DMA. 

EP IMCO DISCUSSES POLITICAL ADVERTISING

On 15 July, the EP IMCO Committee debated the implementation of the Political Advertising Regulation, with the EC presenting recently adopted implementing acts that establish templates and technical specifications for compliance. MEPs emphasised the importance of simple, clear, and accessible labelling so citizens can easily identify political advertisement sponsors. They also discussed concerns about disinformation, SME requirements, as well as Member State preparedness ahead of the regulation's full implementation in October. 

EC UNVEILS GUIDELINES ON MINOR PROTECTION ONLINE

On 15 July, the EC unveiled new guidelines for protecting minors online and introduced a prototype age-verification application under the DSA. The guidelines advocate practical safeguards including setting minors' accounts to private by default, disabling features that promote excessive usage, and preventing unsolicited group additions or content downloads, with platforms encouraged to implement risk-based approaches tailored to the specific nature and scale of potential harms. 

THE DIGITAL FAIRNESS ACT CONSULTATION IS HERE

On 17 July, the EC launchedthe long-awaited public consultation on its Digital Fairness Act (DFA) proposal. The Act will likely tackle harmful online practices including dark patterns, misleading influencer marketing, addictive digital product design, and unfair personalisation that exploits consumer vulnerabilities, with particular emphasis on protecting minors online. The consultationis open for feedback until 9 October. 

EC PUBLISHES GENERAL-PURPOSE AI MODELS GUIDELINES

The EC has published guidelinesto help providers of general-purpose AI models comply with the AI Act obligations that come into effect on 2 August, alongside a templatefor summarising training data. The guidelines outline specific obligations for the most advanced models that pose systemic risks, requiring risk assessment and mitigation measures, whilst the EC's template will help providers increase transparency by providing comprehensive overviews of their training data.

EP ITRE MEETS DANISH DIGITAL AFFAIRS MINISTER

During an exchange of views hosted by the EP ITRE Committee on 16 July, Danish Minister for Digital Affairs, Caroline Stage Olsen outlined two key priorities: enhancing EU's digital competitiveness and protecting minors online. She emphasised that the EU was falling behind in the global digital race regarding innovation, investment, and deployment of key digital technologies, making digital competitiveness a political priority. Importantly, she advocated for simplifying existing regulations and supported targeted new legislation such as the DFA.

EP CULT DISCUSSES PROTECTING MINORS ONLINE

On 16 July, the EP CULT Committee reached unanimous agreement on enhancing online protection for minors, emphasising the urgent need for effective EU-wide age verification systems, stricter control of harmful content, and ensuring age-appropriate material is available. Members highlighted psychological risks faced by children online and called for stronger enforcement of existing legislation such as the AVMSD. At the same time they acknowledged the necessity of digital and media literacy training for children, parents, and teachers.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 

28 July: European Parliament summer recess begins

22 August: European Parliament summer recess ends

15 September: We will resume our bi-weekly AIG newsletter

Stand: 28.07.2025