AIG Newsletter 15 July 2024

News

IIn this week's edition: The EC issues preliminary findings against Meta's 'pay or consent' model and publishes its State of the Digital Decade report. The Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) and OECD join forces to advance trustworthy AI development. Media plurality faces challenges according to the latest Media Pluralism Monitor. Ireland's Media Commission proposes new rules to align with the revised AVMSD. The Working Party on Data Protection meets on 22 July to discuss GDPR enforcement and recent developments in data protection policy.

EC SENDS PRELIMINARY FINDINGS TO META OVER "PAY OR CONSENT"

On 1 July, the EC preliminarily found that Meta's 'pay or consent' advertising model violates Article 5(2) of the DMA. The EC contended that this model failed to allow users to opt for a service that used less personal data and did not allow the exercise of freely given consent. Meta now has the opportunity to respond to these findings, with the EC set to conclude its investigation within 1 year from the opening of the procedures (March 2024). If the findings are confirmed, Meta could face fines of up to 10% of its global turnover. 

EC PUBLISHES SECOND REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE DIGITAL DECADE

The EC released its second report on the State of the Digital Decade on 2 July, alongside Member States' Digital Decade strategic roadmaps. The report highlighted that EU countries were not on track to meet the targets set in the Digital Decade Policy Programme. The EC identified several areas requiring further investment, including digital skills, high-quality connectivity, adoption of AI and data analytics by businesses. Consequently, the EC urged Member States to be more ambitious in achieving goals related to digital infrastructure, businesses, skills, and public services. In response, the EC has updated country-specific and cross-cutting recommendations for Member States, who have until 2 December to review and adjust their national roadmaps. 

For more information on relevant sections see below:

• Digital Decade 2024: Implementation and perspective
• Digital Decade 2024: International Benchmarking of the Digital Transformation
• Digital Decade 2024: Monitoring of the Implementation of the Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles

GPAI AND OECD PARTNER TO ADVANCE TRUSTWORTHY AI 

On 3 July, the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) and OECD announced a collaborative effort to implement an agenda focused on human-centric, safe, secure and trustworthy AI. This partnership, which unites 44 countries, aims to leverage the combined expertise and capabilities of both organisations to bolster their actions in the field of AI.

THE PUBLISHING OF THE ANNUAL MEDIA PLURALISM MONITOR 

The Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom published the annual Media Pluralism Monitor on 27 June. The report represented a comprehensive assessment of media freedom, journalism challenges, and freedom of expression across the EU and candidate countries. The report emphasised that editorial independence in European media had reached a historic high-risk level due to increasing pressures from commercial interests, such as media owners and advertisers. The analysis underscored that media plurality faced threats from increasing concentration trends, exacerbated by digital transformations that intensify competition for audience attention and advertising revenue.

IRELAND PROPOSES MEDIA SERVICE CODE AND MEDIA SERVICE RULES 

Coimisiún na Meán (Irish Media Commission) has proposed the adoption of the Media Service Code and Rules for Audiovisual On-Demand Media Services to implement relevant articles of the AVMSD Directive. The draft Code and Rules comprised of several sections, including introductory provisions, and audiovisual commercial communications. These sections aimed to ensure responsible use of commercial communications, and regulate various aspects of on-demand media services. The regulator has prepared this draft in line with its statutory obligations under domestic law and to fulfil the State's commitments under the revised AVMS Directive.

THE WORKING PARTY ON DATA PROTECTION MEETS AGAIN

The Working Party on Data Protection is scheduled to convene on 22 July. The comprehensive agenda covers the discussion of a proposed regulation concerning additional procedural rules for enforcing the GDPR. This will be followed by a presentation of the Presidency's plans for technical meetings and political trilogues. Additionally, members will engage in a general exchange of views regarding the EP's position adopted at the Plenary Session in April. The gathering will conclude with the Commission providing updates on the latest developments in the field of data protection. 

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

16 July: First plenary session of the 10th Parliamentary term is taking place over 4 days in Strasbourg, France.

22 July: Constituent meetings of parliamentary committees are taking place over 4 days.

Stand: 15.07.2024