Overview
This report provides an analytical summary of digital-policy Parliamentary Questions (PQs) and Commission replies published from 14.06.2026 to 21.06.2026. The intelligence gathered highlights key regulatory priorities, including the enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA), the operationalisation of the AI Act, and an overarching focus on European digital sovereignty and cybersecurity. The Commission consistently positions itself as focused on the robust implementation and structural enforcement of existing frameworks rather than signalling immediate new legislative overhauls. For public-affairs and advocacy professionals, these developments underscore a critical shift from policy design to complex, multi-layered compliance and technological self-reliance.
DSA & DMA Enforcement
❗ Commission Monitors Google’s Android Developer Registration Under DMA
In a joint response on 15 June 2026 to E-001349/2026 and E-001419/2026, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen addressed concerns regarding Google’s new Android developer verification process. The Commission confirmed it is actively engaged in a regulatory dialogue with Alphabet regarding Article 6(4) of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) to ensure that apps, including open-source applications, can be effectively distributed outside of Google Play without disproportionate security restrictions.
❗ Commission Clarifies Voluntary Nature of DSA Codes of Conduct
In a response on 15 June 2026 to E-001432/2026, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen stated that codes of conduct under the Digital Services Act (DSA)—such as those on disinformation and hate speech—are voluntary instruments. While adherence can serve as an appropriate risk mitigation measure, it does not inherently presume full DSA compliance, which the Commission assesses on a case-by-case basis during potential investigations.
❓ MEPs Probe DMA Search Data Sharing Safeguards
In Parliamentary Question E-002373/2026 submitted on 9 June 2026, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (Renew) asked the Commission to detail its methodologies for assessing privacy risks and anonymisation standards under Article 6(11) of the DMA, which mandates search engines to share query data with qualifying competitors. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ MEPs Question DSA Enforcement on Banned Medicinal Product Advertisements
In Parliamentary Question E-002337/2026 submitted on 8 June 2026, a group of S&D MEPs inquired whether the continued presence of advertisements for illegal medicinal products on very large online platforms reveals shortcomings in DSA risk mitigation measures. A response from the Commission is pending.
Wider Digital Regulation
❗ Political Advertising Obligations Apply to Service Providers, Not Sponsors
Responding on 19 June 2026 to E-001769/2026, Commissioner McGrath clarified that under Regulation (EU) 2024/900 on the transparency of political advertising, reporting, labelling, and record-keeping obligations apply strictly to service providers. The rules also explicitly prohibit service providers from engaging with third-country sponsors during the three months preceding an election.
❓ Competitiveness of Video Games Sector Under Forthcoming Digital Fairness Act
In Parliamentary Question E-002352/2026 submitted on 9 June 2026, Katri Kulmuni (Renew) asked how the Commission will ensure the forthcoming Digital Fairness Act does not undermine the free-to-play business model by requiring repeated price confirmations for virtual products. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Shortcomings in Machinery Regulation Technical Framework Highlighted
In Parliamentary Question E-002354/2026 submitted on 9 June 2026, ECR MEPs highlighted delays in publishing the implementation guide and harmonised standards for Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 on machinery, questioning the socioeconomic impact on industrial competitiveness. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ AI Act Deepfake Prohibitions Central to Tackling Online Gender-Based Violence
In a response on 15 June 2026 to E-001319/2026, Commissioner Lahbib highlighted that the Violence Against Women (VAW) Directive, alongside the DSA, requires the rapid removal of illegal cyberviolence content. She also noted that the AI Act introduces a strict prohibition on AI systems that generate or manipulate non-consensual intimate content of identifiable individuals.
❗ Commission Defends Privacy Standards of EU Age Verification App
Addressing E-001659/2026 and E-001619/2026 on 19 June 2026, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen defended the EU age verification software against security concerns. The Commission stated that recent expert findings pertained to an early development version, which has since received a hardening update, and confirmed that the application relies entirely on local device processing without transmitting biometric material.
❓ Concerns Raised Over Zero-Log AI Chatbots and Platform Accountability
In Parliamentary Question E-002350/2026 submitted on 9 June 2026, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová (Renew) and others questioned whether WhatsApp’s zero-log incognito Meta AI feature complies with EU digital legislation, given that the lack of retained data could hinder incident investigation and platform accountability. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ GDPR Does Not Provide General Right to Refuse Disclosure
In a response on 16 June 2026 to E-000416/2026, Commissioner McGrath clarified that the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) does not provide a general right or obligation for public authorities to refuse the disclosure of personal data, noting that supervision falls under national authorities.
❓ Political Use of Educational Databases Triggers GDPR Scrutiny
In Parliamentary Question E-002245/2026 submitted on 2 June 2026, Vicent Marzà Ibáñez (Verts/ALE) asked whether the use of a public educational management platform by regional authorities to send mass political communications without prior consent constitutes a breach of the GDPR. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ AI Gigafactories Will Structurally Incentivise European Hardware
In a response on 19 June 2026 to E-001255/2026, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen confirmed that the AI Gigafactory (AIGF) initiative intends to use procurement evaluation criteria to reward consortia proposing European hardware and sovereign software stacks, actively encouraging the deployment of European open-source software solutions to prevent vendor lock-in.
❗ Public Procurement Revision to Consider European Preference for Cloud and AI
In a response on 17 June 2026 to E-001494/2026, Executive Vice-President Séjourné noted that the Commission’s ongoing impact assessment for the revision of EU public procurement rules will evaluate possible European preference criteria, aligning with the recently adopted digital sovereignty package for cloud and AI.
❗ Commission Defends AI Policy Coordination with Member States
In a response on 15 June 2026 to E-001514/2026, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen dismissed claims of fragmented AI policy initiatives, asserting that the Commission closely coordinates with Member States, including through the AI Board, ensuring that strategies like the Apply AI Strategy respect the principle of subsidiarity.
❓ Parliamentarians Scrutinise Special Envoy for Industrial AI Appointment
In Priority Question P-002401/2026 submitted on 10 June 2026, a cross-party group of MEPs requested the publication of the mandate and conflict of interest assessment for the newly appointed Special Envoy for Industrial AI, citing concerns over the appointee’s ties to a major industrial group. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Digital Sovereignty Costs Prompt Questions on EU Co-Financing
In Parliamentary Question E-002386/2026 submitted on 10 June 2026, Ioan-Rareş Bogdan (PPE) asked how the Commission plans to support startups and local authorities financially to meet the infrastructure demands of the Cloud and AI Development Act and the Chips Act 2.0 without creating operational bottlenecks. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ MiCA Framework Reviewed Amid Stablecoin Risk Concerns
In a response on 19 June 2026 to P-001874/2026, Commissioner Albuquerque confirmed the launch of a broad consultation on the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) Regulation. The Commission reiterated that MiCA already equips National Competent Authorities and the ECB with substantial supervisory powers to address liquidity and monetary risks related to stablecoins.
❗ Frontex Data Sharing with National Police Permitted Under Regulation
In a response on 15 June 2026 to E-001559/2026, Commissioner Brunner clarified that Frontex is not precluded from sharing operational personal data obtained from migrant interviews with national law enforcement authorities, provided the applicable data protection framework is respected.
❗ EU Funding Prioritises Digital Literacy for Farmers
In a response on 18 June 2026 to E-001656/2026, Commissioner Hansen detailed that the Common Agricultural Policy, Horizon Europe, and national recovery plans are structured to support digital education, advisory services, and upskilling for farmers to ensure inclusive access to digital transition tools.
❓ Use of Digital Investigation Tools for Migration Control Questioned
In Parliamentary Question E-002255/2026 submitted on 3 June 2026, Özlem Demirel (The Left) asked the Commission to detail the extent to which Frontex and Europol utilise AI-enabled analytics tools, specifically those promoted via the DigiNeX platform, for migration control. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Commission Outlines AI and Cybersecurity Action Plan
In a response on 19 June 2026 to E-001575/2026, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen detailed the newly announced Action Plan on AI and Cybersecurity. The Commission aims to translate the NIS 2 Directive, the Cyber Resilience Act, and the AI Act into operational capacity to manage systemic risks, including cyber misuse by advanced AI models.
❗ European Democracy Shield Bolstered Against Foreign Interference
Addressing P-001155/2026 and E-001565/2026, Commissioner McGrath reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to safeguarding election integrity. The Commission highlighted the operationalisation of the European Centre for Democratic Resilience and the DSA’s Rapid Response System to counter foreign disinformation campaigns and build election preparedness.
An analysis of the Commission’s recent replies indicates a definitive institutional pivot from legislative design to rigorous, operational implementation. Responses concerning the Digital Services Act, Digital Markets Act, and the AI Act consistently frame these frameworks as established, robust toolkits. The Commission positions its current mandate as one of strict compliance monitoring, case-by-case enforcement, and capacity building, rather than indicating a desire to introduce immediate new horizontal regulations. This suggests that regulatory predictability and enforcement execution are now the predominant priorities.
Furthermore, a strong narrative of technological sovereignty and defensive resilience permeates the Commission’s rhetoric. Replies regarding AI Gigafactories, public procurement, and the AI and Cybersecurity Action Plan explicitly focus on reducing third-country dependencies, incentivising European hardware, and deploying open-source solutions. Coupled with a heightened focus on countering foreign interference through the European Democracy Shield, the Commission frames digital policy not merely as an economic enabler, but as a critical pillar of geopolitical security.
Ultimately, this material reveals a regulatory landscape where the success of the EU’s digital decade will be judged on structural integration and enforcement efficacy. For digital-policy professionals, the focus must shift towards navigating technical compliance dialogues, leveraging sovereign procurement incentives, and adapting to a strictly monitored, security-first digital single market.
All Parliamentary Questions and Commission Answers are accessible via Policy-Insider.AI.
