Entry into Force - the amended Audiovisual Media Services Directive:

On the 14th of November 2018, the Directive (EU) 2018/1808 amending Directive 2010/13/EU on the coordination of the provision of audiovisual media services in member states (Audiovisual Media Services Directive) went into effect. The amendment introduces new definitions of "audiovisual media services" and of "video-sharing platform services". It also sets out obligations on their business conduct as well as on the regulatory responsibilities of member states. The Directive is based on a legislative proposal by the Commission from the 25th of May 2016 (see ZEI Monitor for 2016).

Legislative Proposals - Next Long-Term EU Budget 2021-2027:

On the 6th of June 2018, the European Commission proposed to renew the 'Connecting Europe Facility', with 42.3 billion euro to support investments in the European infrastructure networks for transport (30.6 billion euro), energy (8.7 billion euro) and digital (3 billion euro). (Press release)

The legislative proposals include:

1. A Proposal for a Regulation on the Revision of the Connecting Europe Facility
2. A Proposal for a Regulation establishing the Digital Europe programme for the period 2021-2027

• Data Privacy: On the 15th of May 2018, the European Commission presented a set of concrete actions that European leaders can take to protect citizens' privacy and make the EU's Digital Single Market a reality before the end of 2018.
• General Data Protection Regulation: The Commission is inviting EU leaders to ensure that national authorities urgently put in place all the remaining steps necessary to prepare for the application of the new rules in all members states.
• ePrivacy Regulation: Alongside the General Data Protection Regulation, the ePrivacy Regulation was proposed in January 2017. The Commission is urging the Council to swiftly agree on its negotiation position on the ePrivacy Regulation, so that negotiations with the European Parliament can start by June 2018, with a view to the adoption by the end of 2018.

Next steps:

1. Mobilising the necessary public and private investments to deploy artificial intelligence, 5G connectivity networks, high-performance computing. (More)
2. Ensuring that the Regulation on free flow of non-personal data, designed to further develop the European data economy, is agreed by co-legislators by June 2018.
3. Similarly, the Electronic Communications Code, aiming at boosting investment in high-speed and high-quality networks across the EU, should also be finalised by June 2018. (More)
4. Helping Member States equip Europeans with the digital skills they will need in today's and tomorrow's digital economy and society. (More)

• Tackling Disinformation Online: On the 26th of April 2018 the European Commission proposed measures to tackle disinformation online, including an EU-wide Code of Practice on Disinformation, support for an independent network of fact-checkers, and a series of actions to stimulate quality journalism and promote media literacy. The Commission intends to convene a multi-stakeholder forum to provide a framework for efficient cooperation among relevant stakeholders and to secure a commitment to coordinate and scale up efforts to tackle disinformation. The forum's first output should be an EU-wide Code of Practice on Disinformation to be published by July 2018, with a view to having a measurable impact by October 2018. (More)
  
  
• Legislative Proposal - New Rules for Online Platforms: On the 26th of April 2018, the European Commission put forward a Proposal for a Regulation on new Rules for Online Intermediation Services aimed at providing small businesses with a safety net in the digital economy. The new rules are to improve the functioning of the Digital Single Market and aim to create a fair, transparent and predictable business environment for smaller businesses and traders when using online platforms. (More)
  
  

• On the 25th of April 2018, the European Commission proposed new company law rules to make it easier for companies to merge, divide or move within the Single Market:
  1. A Proposal for a Directive on the Use of Digital Tools and Processes in Company Law

  2. A Proposal for a Directive on Cross-Border Conversions, Mergers and Divisions

  The new rules are to ensure that employees' rights are well protected and tax abuse is prevented. The rules aim to stimulate the growth potential of European companies by digitalising the process of setting-up and running a business. (More)

• On the 25th of April 2018 the European Commission presented a series of measures to put artificial intelligence (AI) at the service of Europeans and boost Europe's competitiveness in this field. The Commission has proposed a three-pronged approach to increase public and private investment in AI, prepare for socio-economic changes, and ensure an appropriate ethical and legal framework. Following the Declaration of Cooperation signed by 24 member states and Norway on the 10th of April 2018, the Commission will start work with member states to have a coordinated plan on AI by the end of this year. (More)

• Public-Private Partnership on Cybersecurity: On the 5th of July 2016 the European Commission launched a new public-private partnership on cybersecurity that is expected to trigger 1.8 billion euro of investment by 2020. This is part of a series of new initiatives to better equip Europe against cyber-attacks and to strengthen the competitiveness of its cybersecurity sector. (More)
  
  
• Public-Private Partnership on Cybersecurity: On the 5th of July 2016 the European Commission launched a new public-private partnership on cybersecurity that is expected to trigger 1.8 billion euro of investment by 2020. This is part of a series of new initiatives to better equip Europe against cyber-attacks and to strengthen the competitiveness of its cybersecurity sector. (More)
  
  
• Legislative Proposals - New E-Commerce Rules: On the 25th of May 2016, the European Commission put forward a package of legislative measures to allow consumers and companies to buy and sell products and services online more easily and confidently across the EU. (Press release) The proposals include:

1. A Proposal for a Regulation on Tackling Unjustified Geo-Blocking and other forms of discrimination based on place of residence or establishment, or nationality within the Single Market
2. A Proposal for a Regulation on Cross-Border Parcel Delivery Services
3. A Proposal for a Revision of the Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation
   
   

Legislative Proposal - amending the Audiovisual Media Services Directive:

• On the 25th of May 2016, the European Commission presented a Proposal amending the Audiovisual Media Services Directive 2010/13/EU on the coordination of the provision of audiovisual media services in member states. The amendment aims to introduce new definitions of "audiovisual media services" and of "video-sharing platform services". It also sets out obligations on their business conduct as well as on the regulatory responsibilities of member states.
  
  
• Industry Digitisation: On the 19th of April 2016 the European Commission put forward a set of measures for the digitisation of industry and related services across all sectors in order to support and link up national initiatives and to boost investment through strategic partnerships and networks (More).
  
  
• European Cloud Initiative: As part of these digitisation measures, the European Commission on the 19th of April 2016 also presented its "European Cloud Initiative" - a blueprint for cloud-based services and world-class data infrastructure to ensure science, business and public services reap benefits of the big data revolution. By bolstering and interconnecting existing research infrastructure, the Commission plans to create a new European Open Science Cloud that will offer Europe's 1.7 million researchers and 70 million science and technology professionals a virtual environment to store, share and re-use their data across disciplines and borders (More).

• Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) Platform: On the 15th of February 2016 the European Commission launched a new platform which aims to help consumers and traders solve online disputes over a purchase made online. The Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platform offers a single point of entry that allows EU consumers and traders to settle their disputes for both domestic and cross-border online purchases. This is done by channeling the disputes to national Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) bodies that are connected to the platform and have been selected by the Member States according to quality criteria and notified to the Commission. (More)