Werbung und Marktkommunikation, Fachgruppe

AIG Newsletter 16 February 2026

Advertising Information Group-Newsletter

Lesedauer: 5 Minuten

0:00

Audio konnte nicht geladen werden. Erneut versuchen

0:00

CONTENT:

NEWS
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

NEWS

In this week's edition: GPAI Code of Practice establishes a Signatory Taskforce to support implementation. The EC, the Australian eSafety Commissioner and the UK's Ofcom meet to discuss minor protection online while a newly formed panel of child protection experts is convened to advise on potential EU-wide age thresholds. Meanwhile, a fresh set of guidelines to protect media content on major digital platforms are adopted and a consultation to review the AVMSD is launched. In the EP, the IMCO and LIBE Committees publish their draft report on the AI Digital Omnibus while the SANT Committee publishes an own-initiative procedure on the EU Cardiovascular Strategy. Lastly, the CJEU confirms that EDPB decisions can be challenged in EU courts.

NEW SIGNATORY TASKFORCE FOR GPAI CODE OF PRACTICE

On 30 January, signatories to the GPAI Code of Practice convened for their first meeting, establishing a Signatory Taskforce to support the implementation of the voluntary Code ahead of the AI Act rules coming into force in August. Chaired by the EC AI Office, the Taskforce will facilitate exchanges between signatories, share perspectives, and advise the AI Office on technological developments and research, whilst also contributing to guidance documents, engaging stakeholders and experts, and supporting compliance tools across transparency, copyright, and safety and security.

EU, UK AND AUSTRALIA DISCUSS MINOR PROTECTION ONLINE

On 3 February, representatives from the EC, the Australian eSafety Commissioner, and the UK's Ofcom met to discuss the protection of minors online, with a particular focus on Australia's social media ban for children under 16. The eSafety Commissioner provided an update on the ban's progress, whilst the EC and Ofcom shared insights into their respective work on age-assurance. The meeting followed the signing of a Joint Communication by all three parties in November 2025, in which they committed to collaborating closely on child online safety.

EU PAVES WAY TO SETTING RULES ON SOCIAL MEDIA AGE TRESHOLDS

The EU is moving towards establishing coordinated rules on social media age restrictions for children, with a newly formed panel of child protection experts set to advise the EC on potential EU-wide age thresholds by this summer. Announced as part of a broader action plan against cyberbullying, the panel will explore a "potentially legislative European approach" to age limits, alongside guidance on awareness campaigns and parental controls.

EC ADOPTS GUIDELINES PROTECTING MEDIA CONTENT ON DIGITAL PLATFORMS

On 6 February, the EC published new guidelines aimed at strengthening the recognition and protection of professional journalism on major digital platforms. Underpinned by Article 18(1) of EMFA, the guidelines protect against the unwarranted removal of journalistic content produced to professional standards, requiring platforms to notify media outlets in advance of any intended removal and provide a clear justification, with media organisations afforded 24 hours to respond before any action is taken.

EC LAUNCHES AVMSD CONSULTATION

On 10 February, the EC launched a public consultation to review the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD). Key priorities of the AVMSD review include streamlining advertising rules, levelling the playing field between traditional broadcasters and digital platforms, strengthening child protection on video-sharing platforms, and ensuring DSA coherence.

EP IMCO & LIBE PUBLISH DRAFT REPORT ON AI OMNIBUS

On 5 February, the EP's IMCO and LIBE Committees published their draft report on the Digital Omnibus on AI, seeking to simplify and improve the consistent enforcement of the EU AI Act across the EU whilst preserving key protections and avoiding overlapping or divergent interpretations between sectoral and national rules. Important features include the postponement of obligations for high-risk AI systems, restoration of AI literacy requirements for providers and deployers, clarified conditions for processing sensitive personal data to address bias, and targeted measures to streamline implementation. MEPs had until 12 February to table amendments, ahead of a joint committee vote on 18 March.

EP SANT PUBLISHES INI ON AN EU CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES STRATEGY

The draft report identifies aggressive marketing of tobacco, alcohol, ultra-processed foods, and sugary drinks as a key driver of cardiovascular disease, particularly harming lower-income households. It calls for binding restrictions on the marketing of unhealthy products, a ban on misleading health claims, and stronger enforcement through a revised Unfair Commercial Practices Directive that explicitly protects consumer health. AIG submitted recommendations to Renew and EPP members of the EP SANT Committee. A plenary date has been set for 15 June.

On 10 February, the CJEU ruled that WhatsApp Ireland may directly challenge the EDPB's 2021 binding decision before EU courts, rather than through national courts. The decision at issue had required the Irish DPC to impose a €225 million fine on WhatsApp for failing to adequately inform users about how their data is processed across Meta's services. WhatsApp had initially challenged the EDPB decision before the General Court, which ruled against it on the grounds that the decision had been addressed to the Irish DPC rather than to WhatsApp directly. Following WhatsApp's appeal, the CJEU referred the matter back to the General Court, confirming that WhatsApp does have standing to challenge the EDPB decision at EU level.