Overview
This report covers Parliamentary Questions (PQs) and Commission replies published from 09.02.2026 to 15.02.2026. The key policy areas under scrutiny include the enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA), the EU’s response to foreign information manipulation, cybersecurity of critical infrastructure, and the geopolitical dimensions of technology policy, particularly concerning China. Other significant topics include the development of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), the security of EU satellite communications, and data governance under the GDPR. The Commission positions itself as a proactive enforcer of its new digital rulebook, framing its actions within broader strategies of economic security and democratic resilience. These developments are critical for digital-policy professionals as they signal a clear shift from legislative development to active implementation and geopolitical risk management in the digital domain.
Digital Services Act (DSA) & Platform Accountability
❗ Commission Confirms DSA Enforcement Actions Against AliExpress and Temu
In a reply to a question concerning the sale of goods infringing intellectual property rights, Executive Vice-President Séjourné detailed the Commission’s enforcement of the Digital Services Act. The answer, dated 11 February 2026, confirms that in-depth investigations were opened in 2024, leading to preliminary findings in 2025 that both AliExpress and Temu breached their DSA obligations regarding the assessment and mitigation of risks related to illegal products. The Commission states in its response to E-004786/2025 that if these views are confirmed, it will adopt non-compliance decisions, which could include fines. The reply also highlights other tools available to rights holders, such as injunctions under Directive 2004/48/EC.
❓ MEPs Press Commission on Alleged Pressure on Platforms Following US Report
MEPs Mariusz Kamiński (ECR) and Piotr Müller (ECR) submitted separate priority questions (P-000489/2026 and P-000551/2026) regarding a report from the US House of Representatives Judiciary Committee. The report alleges that the Commission has exerted pressure on global platforms to apply censorship and influence public debate, particularly during election campaigns in several Member States. The MEPs ask the Commission to respond to these allegations, clarify the nature of its contacts with very large online platforms under the DSA, and outline measures to ensure its enforcement actions are not perceived as tools to influence legitimate debate. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Commission Questioned on DSA Enforcement Against Fake-Account Networks
Jan Farský (PPE) has asked the Commission in question E-000392/2026 about its concrete enforcement expectations for large online platforms regarding the detection and disruption of fake accounts and coordinated inauthentic behaviour used to amplify disinformation. The question also seeks clarity on how the Commission will measure the effectiveness of platforms’ actions under the DSA and whether additional operational measures are planned as part of the European Democracy Shield. A Commission answer is pending.
Disinformation & Foreign Interference
❗ European Democracy Shield Builds on AI Act and DSA to Counter Disinformation
In a 10 February 2026 response, Commissioner McGrath outlined the European Democracy Shield’s approach to countering Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI). The reply to E-004717/2025 states that the initiative respects the division of competences and builds on existing legal frameworks like the AI Act and the Digital Services Act. Key measures include working with signatories of the Code of Conduct on Disinformation to improve the detection of AI-generated content and forthcoming guidance on AI use in electoral processes. The Commission also highlights the role of the European Centre for Democratic Resilience in fostering cooperation among Member States and EU bodies.
❓ MEP Questions How Commission Distinguishes Foreign Disinformation from Domestic Speech
Christine Anderson (ESN) submitted question E-000410/2026 asking the Commission to explain the objective criteria it uses to distinguish between regulatory measures targeting external Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) and those that affect the lawful speech of domestic actors. The question probes how the Commission assesses the necessity and proportionality of interventions that may influence domestic political discourse and what safeguards prevent regulatory responses from escalating due to broader geopolitical tensions. A response is awaited.
Data Governance & Cybersecurity
❗ Commission Defers to National Bodies on Spanish Cybersecurity Procurement Dispute
Executive Vice-President Virkkunen, in a reply dated 9 February 2026, addressed concerns about delays in a critical cybersecurity contract for the Spanish central administration. The Commission’s response to E-004766/2025 highlights that the NIS 2 Directive requires Member States to ensure public administration entities implement cybersecurity risk-management measures, including for supply chains. However, regarding the specific tender’s disqualification of a bidder for not having a registered equality plan, the Commission states that national courts and review bodies are best placed to assess whether contracting authorities have respected their obligations under EU public procurement law.
❓ MEP Challenges Commission’s Stance on ‘Digital Omnibus’ GDPR Amendments
In priority question P-000438/2026, Christine Anderson (ESN) confronts the Commission with Member State objections raised in the Council regarding the ‘Digital Omnibus’ proposal. The MEP notes that while the Commission has previously stated the proposal only makes targeted clarifications to the GDPR, several Member States have warned it could lower data protection levels and enable cross-system profiling. The question asks the Commission to specify its legal disagreements with the Member States’ analyses and to reconcile its assurances with their concerns. A Commission reply is pending.
❗ Commission Acknowledges Encryption’s Importance Amidst CSAM Proposal Debate
Responding to concerns raised about the proposal on combating child sexual abuse (CSAM), Executive Vice-President Virkkunen stated that the Commission recognises the important role of encryption in protecting communications, privacy, and personal data. In the answer to E-004671/2025, published on 13 February 2026, the Commission notes it would be regrettable if legitimate end-to-end encrypted services ceased operating in the EU. The reply also mentions an Expert Group tasked with creating a Technology Roadmap to identify technical options for lawful access to data in criminal investigations that safeguard fundamental rights and do not undermine cybersecurity.
❗ No Central EU Platform for ID Cards, Commission Clarifies
In response to a query about the use of illegal Turkish place names on a Greek identity card issued to a Cypriot citizen, Executive Vice-President Fitto clarified the EU’s role in the matter. The answer to E-004936/2025, dated 9 February 2026, states there is no European computerised system or digital platform for issuing identity cards. The Commission underscores that each Member State is responsible for issuing its own identity documents, and it is therefore up to the Greek authorities to decide how to describe locations on these documents.
❓ MEPs Probe Use of GOVSATCOM and IRIS² for Civil Protection
Following communication failures during a storm in Portugal, Bruno Gonçalves (S&D) asks in priority question P-000439/2026 whether the European GOVSATCOM system will be available for Member State civil protection services, especially during national system failures. The question also seeks to know if GOVSATCOM or the IRIS² satellite constellation will enable direct connectivity with personal devices for citizen-to-citizen communication in emergencies. The Commission is expected to provide an update on the initiatives’ status.
❗ Commission Expects Human-Level AI Reasoning Within a Decade, Monitors Labour Impact
Executive Vice-President Virkkunen, in a reply dated 11 February 2026, stated that the Commission expects Artificial Intelligence to advance towards human-level reasoning within the next decade. The response to E-004536/2025 notes the difficulty of predicting developments but highlights the Commission’s monitoring of AI’s impact on the labour market through its Apply AI Strategy and the AI Observatory. The Commission also points to significant investment in ‘digital leadership’ under the next Multiannual Financial Framework and the European Social Fund’s role in investing in AI skills for citizens.
❗ Commission Lacks Disaggregated Data on Critical Raw Materials for Defence
In an answer published on 12 February 2026, Executive Vice-President Séjourné confirmed that while the Commission collects data on the end uses and sectoral allocation of critical raw materials (CRMs) in line with the CRM Act, it does not have sufficiently disaggregated information on the percentage consumed by the defence industry. The response to E-004990/2025 attributes this challenge to the dual-use character of many applications. The Commission directs stakeholders to its published reports and the Raw Materials Information System for available data.
❗ Commission Frames Response to Chinese Investments Around Economic Security and Existing Tools
In two separate but related answers, the Commission outlined its approach to the risks posed by Chinese investment in the EU. In a reply to E-004810/2025, Mr Šefčovič stated that the EU will tackle risks from high-risk third countries while remaining open to foreign investment, pointing to the strengthened Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Screening Regulation and the review of the Cybersecurity Act as key instruments. Similarly, in response to E-004818/2025, Commissioner McGrath confirmed that EU rules generally do not distinguish by company ownership, but state control is a risk factor under FDI screening. The Commission emphasizes balancing openness with avoiding dependencies and highlights the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive as applying to non-EU companies with a significant EU market presence.
❗ EU Confronts China on Critical Raw Material Export Controls, Mobilises RESourceEU Plan
Executive Vice-President Séjourné expressed the Commission’s concern over China’s export controls on rare earths and other critical raw materials (CRMs), which have caused supply chain disruptions. In the 10 February 2026 reply to E-004787/2025, the Commission states it is in dialogue with Chinese authorities and has raised the issue at the WTO, maintaining that the measures lack security justification. To bolster EU resilience, the Commission points to its RESourceEU Action Plan, which mobilises €3 billion in EU funds to accelerate CRM projects, with Chinese entities being ineligible for related Horizon Europe research funding.
❓ MEPs Raise Alarm Over Russian Satellite Proximity Operations and Hybrid Threats
MEPs have submitted two questions concerning escalating threats from Russia. In E-000481/2026, a group of PPE MEPs asks the Commission about the exposure of European satellites to interception and what security requirements will be imposed on future EU systems like GOVSATCOM/IRIS². In E-000441/2026, another cross-party group of MEPs questions the Commission on its instruments to combat physical sabotage and drone espionage, asking if a new financial or operational tool is planned to support national security services. Responses to both are pending.
❓ Commission Queried on Fostering EU Strategic Autonomy in Social Networks
Dan-Ştefan Motreanu (PPE) highlights the EU’s structural dependence on non-EU social media platforms in priority question P-000445/2026. The question asks the Commission for its assessment of this dependency from a democratic standpoint, what concrete measures it envisages to boost the development of European alternatives, and how it will ensure consistency between its role as a regulator and its goal of building the Union’s own digital capacities. A Commission answer is pending.
❗ Commission Assessing Feasibility of a European Road Transport Agency
In response to a question about creating a European road transport agency to improve safety, Commissioner Tzitzikostas confirmed on 9 February 2026 that a feasibility study has been completed. The reply to E-004070/2025 notes that the study identified shortcomings in current policy implementation and governance. The Commission’s assessment of the needs, which go beyond road safety to include smart and sustainable transport, has not yet been finalised, and further steps will be decided following this assessment.
❓ MEPs Probe Technical Barriers in E-Commerce and Misleading Online Pricing
Two questions address consumer issues in the single market. In E-000390/2026, Jan Farský (PPE) asks how the Commission views technical checkout restrictions (e.g., requiring domestic phone numbers or payment accounts) that act as barriers for EU consumers, and whether the ongoing evaluation of the Geo-blocking Regulation will address them. In E-000359/2026, Biljana Borzan (S&D) asks if the Commission considers it misleading advertising when online retailers advertise a low price for a product but only offer it for uncommon sizes, with standard sizes being more expensive. Commission responses are pending for both.
The Commission’s responses this week suggest a clear institutional focus on the implementation and enforcement of its established digital and economic security frameworks. The detailed updates on DSA investigations into major e-commerce platforms like AliExpress and Temu indicate a transition from rule-making to active market supervision. The Commission consistently frames its actions not as isolated regulatory moves but as integral components of overarching strategies, such as the European Democracy Shield and the push for economic security. This narrative connects platform regulation, cybersecurity, and supply chain resilience into a coherent policy agenda aimed at safeguarding the EU’s strategic interests.
A recurring theme is the careful balancing act between asserting EU-level authority and respecting national competencies. While the Commission highlights robust EU instruments like the FDI Screening Regulation and the NIS 2 Directive, it simultaneously defers to national bodies on specific implementation issues, such as a public procurement dispute in Spain or the design of national ID cards in Greece. This approach suggests a pragmatic division of labour, where the EU sets the strategic framework and high-level rules, while leaving granular enforcement and interpretation in certain domains to Member State authorities.
Overall, the material reveals a Commission that is increasingly positioning the EU’s digital policy in a geopolitical context. Replies concerning Chinese investments and critical raw material exports are not framed merely as trade or market issues, but as matters of strategic dependency and security. This indicates that future policy and enforcement actions in the digital sphere will likely be assessed through a lens of strategic autonomy, resilience, and the mitigation of risks posed by non-allied global actors.
All Parliamentary Questions and Commission Answers are accessible via Policy-Insider.AI.
