Overview
This report covers Parliamentary Questions (PQs) and Commission replies published from 02.02.2026 to 08.02.2026. The key policy areas in focus include the enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA), particularly concerning Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) like ChatGPT and X, the application of the Political Advertising Regulation, and the EU’s strategic positioning on military AI and the Digital Euro. The Commission’s institutional tone is procedural and legally grounded, emphasizing the division of responsibilities between EU and national levels while outlining its direct supervisory and monitoring roles under new digital legislation. These developments are critical for digital-policy professionals as they signal a definitive shift from policymaking to the practical implementation and enforcement of the EU’s digital rulebook.
Digital Services Act (DSA)
❗ Commission Outlines Process for Designating ChatGPT as a VLOP Under DSA
The Commission has confirmed it is assessing OpenAI’s ChatGPT service for a potential designation as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) under the Digital Services Act. In a response on 2 February 2026 to question E-004826/2025, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen stated that the procedure, which follows OpenAI’s self-reported 120.4 million average monthly active users, involves both quantitative and qualitative assessment and is expected to conclude in the first quarter of 2026. The Commission clarified that this designation is independent of the application of other EU instruments like the Digital Markets Act or the AI Act.
❓ MEPs Question Selective DSA Enforcement Against X/Grok
MEPs Marieke Ehlers and Sebastian Kruis (PfE) are questioning the Commission’s decision to launch enforcement action against the social media platform X and its AI tool Grok, citing risks under the Digital Services Act. In their priority question P-000463/2026 submitted on 5 February 2026, they ask for the objective criteria that distinguish Grok from other image-generation tools and whether targeting one platform undermines principles of equal treatment and legal certainty. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ MEPs Probe DSA Obligations Regarding Shocking Media Content
MEP Eleonora Meleti (PPE) has asked the Commission about the measures available under the European framework to limit the broadcast of shocking audiovisual material by television media and its reproduction on online platforms. In question E-000357/2026 of 28 January 2026, the MEP specifically queries the role and obligations of Very Large Online Platforms under the Digital Services Act in protecting human dignity and minors. A Commission answer is awaited.
Political Advertising & Media Freedom
❗ Commission Clarifies National Responsibility for Political Ads Regulation Enforcement
The Commission has underscored that national competent authorities, including data protection bodies, are primarily responsible for supervising and enforcing the Political Advertising Regulation. In his answer of 3 February 2026 to question E-004689/2025, Commissioner McGrath confirmed that a network of contact points has been established for EU-level cooperation. The Commission will continue to support implementation through guidelines and an expert group, and it plans to organize an implementation dialogue in 2026 to gather insights on the rules’ application.
❗ Commission Monitors EMFA Implementation to Safeguard Media Pluralism
In a reply on 5 February 2026, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen affirmed that the Commission is actively monitoring the implementation of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) in all Member States, including Italy. The response to question P-004964/2025 highlights that the EMFA requires Member States to establish rules for assessing media market concentrations that could impact media pluralism and editorial independence. The Commission uses its annual Rule of Law Report to address concerns and issue recommendations, and will also deploy financial tools to support the media sector’s economic resilience.
❗ EU Affirms Human Control as Essential for Military AI
The EU maintains a longstanding position that military AI use must comply with international law and that human judgment and control over the use of force must always be retained. In a reply on 2 February 2026 to question E-004224/25, High Representative/Vice-President Kallas stressed that humans must remain responsible and accountable. The Commission supports international processes like the ‘Responsible AI in the Military Domain’ (REAIM) summit to develop global governance and practical solutions for the responsible military use of AI.
❓ MEPs Press Commission on EU Digital Sovereignty and Cloud Infrastructure
MEP Katri Kulmuni (Renew) has questioned the Commission on the EU’s digital sovereignty, highlighting the dependence of public administrations and critical functions on US-controlled cloud services. Submitted on 28 January 2026, question E-000349/2026 asks if the EU should build its own common cloud infrastructure, what the financial flows to US companies are, and what practical steps the Commission will take to reduce dependency. A Commission response is pending.
❗ Commission Highlights Operational Large-Scale IT Systems for Border Management
Responding to a question on border controls on 4 February 2026, Commissioner Brunner outlined the operational status and upcoming deployment of the EU’s large-scale IT systems for external border management. The answer to E-003594/25 confirms that the Entry-Exit System (EES) became operational in October 2025, to be followed by the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) in 2026 and the revised Visa Information System (VIS). These systems are presented as key instruments to better secure the EU’s external borders.
❗ Commission Frames Digital Euro as a Privacy-Preserving Complement to Cash
In two separate answers on 4 February 2026, the Commission detailed its vision for the digital euro, emphasizing it will complement, not replace, cash. Responding to questions E-004730/2025 and E-004763/2025, Commissioner Dombrovskis stated that the legislative proposal prioritizes citizens’ fundamental right to privacy, with the Eurosystem only accessing pseudonymised data for settlement purposes. The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) will apply to Payment Service Providers offering the digital euro to ensure they can withstand ICT-related disruptions like cyberattacks.
❗ Commission Developing Action Plan for Drone Security
The Commission is working on an action plan to address the multidimensional security challenges posed by drones, including threats to critical infrastructure and public spaces. In an answer on 5 February 2026 to question E-004288/2025, Commissioner Brunner noted that Member States have suspended the use of DJI’s geo-fencing service due to data inconsistencies. The forthcoming plan aims to enhance EU preparedness to prevent, detect, and tackle malicious drone activities.
❓ MEPs Raise Alarm Over Cybersecurity Risks of Smart Cars
MEP Kosma Złotowski (ECR) has raised concerns about the cybersecurity risks associated with data collection and transfer by smart cars, particularly to non-EU countries. In question E-000299/2026 of 27 January 2026, the MEP asks if the Commission plans to propose legislation to regulate this area and whether a security certification mechanism for data collected by smart cars is being considered. The Commission has yet to respond.
❓ Commission Queried on European Health Data Space Amid Data Integrity Concerns
Following allegations of officially ordered falsification of COVID-19 mortality statistics in Italy, MEP Gerald Hauser (PfE) has asked the Commission about the implications for data integrity within the European Health Data Space (EHDS). Question E-000205/2026, submitted on 20 January 2026, asks what the Commission will do to prevent future manipulation of medical statistics, given its direct relevance to the EHDS. A response is pending.
❓ MEP Questions Commission’s Strategy and Funding for Microchips
MEP Virginie Joron (PfE) has challenged the Commission on its strategy for microchips, citing a European Court of Auditors report that found the Commission had no information on EU funding disbursed for semiconductors and conducted no impact assessment before proposing the Chips Act. The question E-000081/2026 of 12 January 2026 asks for details on EU funding allocated in 2025 and progress made on the EU’s market share, while questioning a statement about helping the US maintain its technological edge. A Commission reply is pending.
❓ Commission’s Stance on FATCA’s GDPR Compliance Questioned
Amid trade tensions, MEP François-Xavier Bellamy (PPE) has asked the Commission to assess the conformity of the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) with EU law, particularly the GDPR. Question E-000317/2026, submitted 27 January 2026, probes whether the extensive data transmission obligations on EU financial institutions are consistent with EU data protection rules and principles of reciprocity in EU-US relations. A Commission answer is awaited.
Based on the Commission’s answers published this week, a clear trend emerges: the EU’s digital policy is firmly in an implementation and enforcement phase. The Commission’s response regarding the DSA designation process for ChatGPT (E-004826/2025) indicates a move towards concrete supervisory actions against major tech players. This focus on operationalization is mirrored in its approach to the Political Advertising Regulation (E-004689/2025) and the EMFA (P-004964/2025), where it emphasizes monitoring, guidance, and cooperation with national authorities.
A second cross-cutting theme is the careful delineation of competencies. In several replies, the Commission positions itself as a facilitator and overseer, clarifying that primary enforcement responsibility for certain regulations lies with Member State bodies. This suggests a strategic choice to build enforcement capacity at the national level while retaining direct supervision for systemic issues, as seen with VLOPs. Finally, the Commission consistently frames new technological developments, such as military AI (E-004224/25) and the Digital Euro (E-004730/2025), within established legal and ethical principles like international law, human control, and fundamental rights to privacy. This approach indicates an effort to steer innovation in a way that reinforces, rather than undermines, core EU values.
Overall, the material reveals a Commission focused on the granular work of making its landmark digital legislation a reality on the ground. The emphasis is on process, legal clarity, and structured cooperation, signaling to stakeholders that the era of compliance has fully begun.
All Parliamentary Questions and Commission Answers are accessible via Policy-Insider.AI.
