Assistant lawyer Natālija Ķīse compiled the material.
Data protection
Commission opens formal proceedings against AliExpress under the Digital Services Act
Official press release: 14 March 2024
The Commission has initiated formal procedures to evaluate whether AliExpress violated the Digital Services Act (DSA) in relation to risk management and mitigation, content moderation, internal complaint handling, advertising and recommender system transparency, trader traceability, and researcher data access.
European Commission’s use of Microsoft 365 infringes data protection law for EU institutions and bodies
Official press release: 11 March 2024
According to the EDPS, the Commission violated multiple sections of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725, which is the EU’s data protection statute applicable to EUIs, or EU institutions, organizations, offices, and agencies. These prohibitions included those pertaining to the transfer of personal data outside the EU/European Economic Area (EEA).
Technology
Designated gatekeepers must now comply with all obligations under the Digital Markets Act
Applicable since: 7 March 2024
The six gatekeepers named by the Commission in September 2023—Apple, Alphabet, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, and ByteDance—must now completely abide by all requirements outlined in the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The DMA seeks to increase the contestability and fairness of digital markets inside the EU. It grants new rights to European firms and end users and introduces new regulations for ten identified key platform services, including online marketplaces, app stores, search engines, online advertising, and messaging.
Artificial Intelligence Act: MEPs adopt landmark law
Approved: 13 March 2024
Parliament approved the Artificial Intelligence Act that ensures safety and compliance with fundamental rights, while boosting innovation. It intends to safeguard high-risk AI from undermining democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and environmental sustainability while fostering innovation and positioning Europe as a pioneer in the area. AI is subject to duties under the rules that are determined by the technology’s impact and potential risks.
See also: Press release
Cyber Resilience Act: MEPs adopt plans to boost security of digital products
Approved: 12 March 2024
Parliament approved new cyber resilience standards to protect all digital products in the EU from cyber threats. This regulation, which was previously approved by the Council in December 2023, is to guarantee that digitally enabled devices are safe to use, resistant to cyberattacks, and adequately disclose their security characteristics.
ESG
Commission sets out key steps for managing climate risks to protect people and prosperity
Communication published: 12 March 2024
A communication on addressing climate risks in Europe was released by the European Commission. It lays out the ways in which the European Union and its Member States might more effectively foresee, comprehend, and deal with escalating climate concerns. It also shows how they may draft and carry out policies that save lives, reduce expenses, and safeguard prosperity throughout the EU.
Consumer protection
Defective products: revamped rules to better protect consumers from damages
Adopted: 12 March 2024
To better address growing online purchasing, new technology, and the shift to a circular economy, MEPs approved new EU consumer protection regulations. The process of obtaining compensation for harm caused by defective items will soon be made simpler for customers in the EU.
Competition
Wholesale energy markets: Council adopts law to protect against market manipulation
Adopted: 18 March 2024
The European Union’s wholesale energy market is now more resistant to manipulation by the market. Today, the Council adopted a new regulation that will guarantee fair and open competition in the wholesale energy markets and strengthen market supervision inside the European Union.
The law strengthens public confidence in the operation of wholesale energy markets by laying the groundwork for greater market integrity and transparency.
See also: Press release
Energy
Lithuania gets energy-independence boost with EIB loan to Ignitis
Press release: 14 March 2024
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is lending €105 million to Lithuanian utility Ignitis Group to expand a key pumped storage hydroelectric power plant. The expansion helps Lithuania achieve its 2030 target of obtaining all of its electricity from renewable energy sources.
Finance
Implementation of DORA: milestone technical regulatory standards just adopted
Adopted: 13 March 2024
Three new regulatory technical standards (RTSs) have been adopted by the Commission today in accordance with the package of delegated acts that was approved on February 22 of this year. By outlining specific cybersecurity measures, the RTSs enhance the EU regulatory frameworks for the financial sector.
