Overview
This report covers Parliamentary Questions (PQs) and replies published from 23.08.2026 till 30.08.2026. The main policy areas in focus include the enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA), digital infrastructure sustainability, platform data-sharing, and digital accessibility. The institutional tone of the Commission is firmly anchored in operational implementation, emphasising procedural compliance, expert consultation, and respect for the subsidiarity principle. For digital-policy professionals, these developments underscore a critical transition from legislative drafting to the rigorous enforcement and monitoring of the European digital single market.
❓ MEPs Press for Stronger Enforcement Against Fake Online Reviews
In Parliamentary Question E-003266/2026 submitted on 12 August 2026, Jeannette Baljeu asked the Commission about its strategy to combat the growing prevalence of AI-generated fake reviews under the Digital Services Act and the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive. The inquiry highlights concerns regarding the effectiveness of the current legal framework in preserving fair competition. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Commission Outlines DSA Role in Mitigating Digital Risks to Youth Mental Health
In Parliamentary Question E-002598/2026, the Commission was asked to address the impact of digitalisation on youth mental well-being. In a response on 24 August 2026, Commissioner Várhelyi confirmed that under the Digital Services Act, very large online platforms and search engines are legally obliged to assess and mitigate systemic risks to mental well-being. He also noted that the recommendations from the Commission President’s Special Panel on child safety online are currently under review.
❓ Harmonisation of Social Media Age Limits Questioned
In Parliamentary Question E-003186/2026 submitted on 31 July 2026, Piotr Müller questioned the legal basis and subsidiarity implications of the Commission’s consideration of a uniform EU age limit for social media access. The question probes how the Commission plans to balance internal market harmonisation with national education systems and parental rights. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Commission Reaffirms DSA as Tool Against Structural Racism and Hate Speech
In Parliamentary Question E-002952/2026, the Commission was asked about its approach to tackling structural racism. In a response on 21 August 2026, Commissioner Lahbib stated that the EU Anti-Racism Strategy 2026-2030 comprehensively addresses racial discrimination, highlighting the Digital Services Act and the Framework Decision against racism and xenophobia as key instruments for protecting citizens from illegal racist hate speech online while safeguarding freedom of expression.
❗ Commission Defends Confidentiality Rules for Data Centre Energy Metrics
In Parliamentary Question E-002307/2026 submitted on 4 June 2026, Lynn Boylan questioned whether the confidentiality provisions in Delegated Act (EU) 2024/1364 contravene the transparency aims of the Energy Efficiency Directive. In a response on 19 August 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen defended the framework, stating that the delegated regulation was prepared in line with Better Regulation rules and that maintaining confidentiality in the European database complies with EU law and the Aarhus Convention, following requests from Member States to ensure data security.
❗ Commission Signals Future Minimum Energy Performance Standards for Data Centres
In Parliamentary Question E-002062/2026, the Commission was queried on the regulatory trajectory for data centre sustainability. In a response on 19 August 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen indicated that the Commission is assessing the transposition of the Energy Efficiency Directive and expects reporting compliance to improve. He noted that before proposing any minimum performance standards, the Commission will launch a call for evidence and an open public consultation, warning that halting these discussions would delay progress in a rapidly growing sector.
❗ Commission Clarifies Limits of Enforcement in Short-Term Rental Data Sharing
In Parliamentary Question E-002668/2026, the Commission was asked about the enforcement of Regulation (EU) 2024/1028 on short-term rentals. In a response on 21 August 2026, Executive Vice-President Séjourné clarified that while the regulation establishes a harmonised framework for data exchange, the Commission has no power to require Member States to impose registration requirements or initiate infringement proceedings if a Member State chooses not to regulate the sector.
❓ MEPs Scrutinise Digital Procurement and Corporate Tax Transparency
In Parliamentary Question E-003211/2026 submitted on 5 August 2026, Kathleen Van Brempt raised concerns regarding the awarding of sensitive public contracts to digital providers amidst allegations of aggressive tax avoidance. The inquiry asks whether the Commission will consider making tax transparency a condition for participation in public procurement during the ongoing revision of the Public Procurement Directives. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Commission Highlights Monitoring of Digital Accessibility in Public Services
In Parliamentary Question E-002619/2026 submitted on 24 June 2026, Barry Cowen asked how the EU ensures digital public services are accessible to individuals with learning disabilities. In a response on 18 August 2026, Commissioner Lahbib detailed that the Web Accessibility Directive requires Member States to monitor public sector websites and submit reports every three years. She noted that the AccessibleEU resource centre and expert groups actively support the implementation of these accessibility requirements across Member States.
The Commission’s responses reveal a strong focus on the implementation and procedural defence of recently adopted digital frameworks, notably the Digital Services Act and the Energy Efficiency Directive. Across multiple replies, the Commission positions itself as a facilitator of compliance rather than a proactive expander of mandates, frequently citing reliance on expert panels, impact assessments, and structured monitoring mechanisms to guide its next steps.
Furthermore, the Commission’s answers suggest a careful navigation of the boundaries between EU harmonisation and Member State sovereignty. Whether addressing short-term rental data collection, public service accessibility, or data centre reporting, the Commission repeatedly frames its role as providing the interoperable architecture and guidance, while explicitly acknowledging that the ultimate regulatory decisions and direct enforcement often remain with national authorities.
Overall, this material indicates that European digital policy is currently in a phase of operational consolidation. For public affairs professionals, the priority has shifted from shaping high-level legislation to navigating the technical delegated acts, compliance reporting cycles, and national transposition processes that now govern the digital single market.
All Parliamentary Questions and Commission Answers are accessible via Policy-Insider.AI.
