A timeline of the EU Commission’s public consultation
14.11.2019: Thierry Breton says he will not modify limited liability framework
European Parliament
At his hearing before the European Parliament, the new European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, Thierry Breton, committed not to question or modify the limited liability that digital services companies have over content posted on their platforms [more].
01.12.2019: Von der Leyen Commission takes office and commits to new DSA
European Commission
The new European Commission took office under the lead of Ursula von der Leyen as President. Her mandate’s priorities, as stated in the released Political Guidelines, include a new Digital Services Act to increase Europe’s liability and safety rules for digital platforms. [more].17.02.2020: Facebook’s take on content regulation
Social Media Platform
The company weighed in the debate by publishing a white paper presented a new regulatory framework in governing online content that strikes the balance in minimizing harm and upholding freedom of speech [more].17.02.2020: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg meets high-level EU officials in Brussels
European Commission
According to Politico, Mark Zuckerberg met with Margrethe Vestager and Věra Jourová, Vice Presidents of the European Commission, and Thierry Breton, Commissioner for the Internal Market, on 17 February. Jourová stated: “Facebook cannot push away all the responsibility” [more].
19.02.2020: More transparency in Europe’s digital future
European Commission
President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the need for more transparency in social media in the op-ed Shaping Europe’s digital future: “Big commercial digital players must accept their responsibility, including by letting Europeans access the data they collect.” [more].19.02.2020: Launch of the consultation on “European Strategy for Data”
European Commission
In order to collect opinions on a strategy for data, the European Commission has opened a public consultation until May 31, 2020. The idea of the strategy is to create a single European data space and facilitate access to information to boost growth and create value [more].19.02.2020: The European Commission (EC) launched a consultation on White Paper on Artificial Intelligence (AI)
European Commission
Until May 31, 2020 all relevant stakeholders may provide their opinion on a White Paper on AI. The White Paper proposes measures to streamline research and increase investment into AI. Moreover, it suggests options for EU regulatory frameworks in this field [more].03.03.2020: UN’s Initiative on COVID-19’s Misinformation
European Commission
Vice-president Jourová meets Twitter, Microsoft, Facebook and Google in a meeting to discuss the
challenge of disinformation and COVID-19. Jourová leads the commission’s work on transparency and
values. [more]16.03.2020: Twitter’s Initiative on COVID-19’s Misinformation
17.03.2020: Member from Ursula von der Leyne cabinet Kurt Vandenberghe holds videoconference.
European Commission
Cabinet member Kurt Vandenberghe holds videoconference with OLX Global BV on Digital Services
Act, digital identity, and platform-to-business regulation. [more]25.03.2020: Facebook’s Initiative on COVID-19’s Misinformation
27.03.2020: VP Jourová meets with big corporations to discuss disinformation
European Commission
Following up on her meeting in the beginning of the month, Jourová meet with big corporations such
as Twitter, Microsoft, Facebook, LinkedIn, Mozilla and Google to discuss the challenge that
disinformation poses during COVID-19 outbreak. [more]31.03.2020: The EU’s Statement Against COVID-19’s Misinformation
European Commission
It assured the public on working with social media platforms to notice and take down misinformation. It reminds people to rely on authoritative sources for health information.[more]14.04.2020: UN’s Initiative on COVID-19’s Misinformation
United Nations
Launched and identifies info-demic as COVID-19 misinformation. Urges people to trust in science and institutions on accessing COIVID-19’s information. [more]15.04.2020: Commissioner Breton had a video conference with Google
European Commission
Commissioner Thierry Breton and several of his cabinet official Filomena Chirico attended a video
conference with Google to discuss ‘tracing apps and privacy of individuals’. [more]15.04.2020: The IMCO publishes recommendations to the Commission on the DSA
European Parliament
The European Parliaments Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO)
publishes a draft report with recommendations to the Commission on the DSA about the functioning
of the Single Market. [more]16.04.2020: EU launches its approach for contact tracing apps
European Commission
To support a gradual lifting of the confinement measures following the COVID-19 outbreak, the
member states and the EU Commission has developed a toolbox for the use of mobile applications
for contact tracing and warning of citizens. [more]22.04.2020: The Committee on Legal Affairs publishes a draft report to the Commission on Digital Services Act
European Parliament
This report provides recommendations on adapting commercial and civil law rules for commercial entities operating online. [more]
27.04.2020: The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs publishes a draft report on fundamental rights issues posed by the Digital Services Act
European Parliament
This report aims to provide input on the elements which should be included in the DSA from a fundamental rights and data protection perspective. [more]
04.05.2020: Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Meeting
European Parliament - IMCO
Agenda: 1) DSA: “Improving the functioning of the Single Market” and 2) DSA: “Adapting commercial and civil law rules for commercial entities operating online”. [more]