AIG Newsletter 30 June 2025

NEWS

In this week's edition: The EC publishes its 2025 Digital Decade report while the EU Council and the EP agree additional GDPR rules to facilitate cross-border enforcement. The Green Claims Directive triggers a political storm and the EC launches a consultation on protecting media providers online. The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council Configuration (EPSCO) debates measures to limit tobacco and alcohol consumption. The EP IMCO Committee discusses minor protection online and Denmark gets ready to assume the EU Presidency. Lastly, the Polish Presidency publishes a report on actions to strengthen EU competitiveness.

EC PUBLISHES STATE OF DIGITAL DECADE 2025 REPORT

The EC State of the Digital Decade 2025 report, published on 16 June, highlighted that although advances had been made, significant gaps remained in connectivity infrastructure, AI adoption, and digital skills. The report highlighted urgent challenges including fragmented markets, slow innovation, plus societal issues such as digital inequality and disinformation. To meet 2030 targets, the EC called for increased investment, simplified regulations, and structural reforms.

EU COUNCIL AND EP AGREE ADDITIONAL GDPR RULES

On 16 June, the EU Council and EP reached a provisional agreementon new regulations to enhance cooperation between national data protection authorities for cross-border GDPR enforcement. The regulations will streamline procedures by establishing clear admissibility criteria, strengthening the rights of complainants, and introducing strict deadlines to expedite complaint handling. The agreement now awaits formal approval from both institutions.

GREEN CLAIMS DIRECTIVE SETS OFF POLITICAL STORM (EXTERNAL)

After the EC unexpectedly announcedits intention on 20 June to withdraw the Green Claims Directive proposal, following pressure from the EPP and right-leaning parties, the Polish Presidency abruptly canceled the planned trilogue meeting. Italy subsequently withdrew its support for the Council's general approach, leaving the Council short of a majority. Following the public backlash, the EC clarified on 23 June that it had not formally withdrawn the directive but maintained it may do so if microenterprises remained in scope of the proposal. Two days later, during a debateheld by IMCO, MEPsexpressed concerns about the EC's conduct and the precedent being set.

EC SEEKS FEEDBACK ON PROTECTING MEDIA PROVIDERS

On 23 June, the EC launched a consultationto develop guidelines that will protect media providers from unjustified content removal by major online platforms with over 45 million monthly users. These guidelines will support the European Media Freedom Act, which comes into effect in August and mandates that platforms must notify media providers and provide explanations for any content removals, whilst giving them 24 hours to respond. 

EPSCO COUNCIL DEBATES TOBACCO & ALCOHOL MEASURES

On 20 June, the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council Configuration (EPSCO) discussedEU measures to prevent tobacco and alcohol consumption, with Member States calling for revised advertising rules, and stricter labelling requirements. The EC highlighted the economic burden of non-communicable diseases, with the group reaching consensus that bold EU action and regulation were needed to match market developments. 

IMCO DISCUSSES PROTECTION OF MINORS ONLINE

During a debateconvened by EP IMCO on 25 June on the draft report for protecting minors online, numerous MEPs insisted that the DSA offered insufficient protection and demanded that mechanisms such as loot boxes and addictive design be banned in all video games. Key discussions centred around age verification systems, implementing horizontal legislation to tackle addictive design, and ensuring full DSA enforcement across the EU. 

DENMARK SET TO COMMENCE EU PRESIDENCY

The Danish work programmefor the second half of 2025 states it will place strong emphasis on advancing technology, environmental sustainability, and cultural cooperation. It will do so by boosting Europe's digital competitiveness through investment in AI and data infrastructure, while simplifying regulation. On the cultural front, the Presidency will support inclusive education, youth engagement, and safeguarding cultural heritage.

PRESIDENCY PUBLISHES REPORT ON EU COMPETITIVENESS

The Presidency published its report on actions to strengthen Union competitiveness. The report emphasised targeted investments in research and innovation, support for SMEs, and the advancement of the digital and green transitions. Key initiatives suggested include boosting strategic technologies, and promoting a more dynamic internal market. The Council also underlined the importance of efficient resource use and structural reforms.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 

30 June: The Working Party on Consumer Protection and Informationwill meet

1 July: Denmark assumes Presidency of the EU Council

1 July: Unpacking the EU's Global Digital Strategy(The European Council on Foreign Relations)

2 July: The Future of Digital Investments in the EU (Danish Agency for Digital Government and the European Commission)

3 July: Online Meeting with Sony on Online Safety (Better Internet for Kids)

4 July: From Cradle to Cloud: Surveillance and Digitalisation around Childhood (European Data Protection Supervisor and European Data Protection Board)

7 July: EP Plenary Meeting in Strasbourg

7 July: The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)(International Telecommunication Union and UNESCO)

8 July: EC expected to publish 2025 Annual Rule of Law Report

8 July: Virtual Programmatic Day (H1 2025)(IAB Europe)

10 July: Informal meeting of Environment Ministers