E-Commerce Regulation, Data Centre Sustainability & Transatlantic Data Privacy

❓ MEPs Scrutinise Alliance for Open Media Under DMA and Antitrust Rules

In Parliamentary Question E-002718/2026 submitted on 1 July 2026, Andreas Schwab requested an assessment of the Alliance for Open Media (AOM) concerning potential gatekeeper self-preferencing and interoperability obligations under the Digital Markets Act. The inquiry raises concerns about the impact of royalty-free, proprietary consortia on established European standardisation processes and fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) innovation. A response from the Commission is pending.

❓ Enforcement of DSA Obligations on E-Commerce Platforms Questioned

In Parliamentary Question E-002857/2026 submitted on 9 July 2026, Laura Ballarín Cereza and Nicolás González Casares addressed the sale of non-compliant consumer products on platforms like AliExpress, Shein, and Temu. The query probes how the Commission will integrate external product testing findings into ongoing systemic risk investigations under the Digital Services Act to protect European consumers. A response from the Commission is pending.

❗ Commission Outlines Scope of Upcoming Digital Fairness Act

In Parliamentary Question E-001134/2026, the Commission was asked about its strategy to protect consumers in the digital sphere. In a response on 14 July 2026, Commissioner McGrath confirmed that the Digital Fairness Act, slated for the fourth quarter of 2026, will target dark patterns, addictive design, and problematic influencer marketing. The response frames the initiative as a targeted, proportionate measure designed to complement existing legislation such as the Digital Services Act, the Digital Markets Act, and the AI Act.

❗ Commission Highlights Coordination Between Consumer Protection and DSA Enforcement

In Parliamentary Question E-001560/2026, the Commission was queried on cross-border enforcement against misleading digital practices. In a response on 14 July 2026, Commissioner McGrath noted that while national authorities remain responsible for following up on coordinated sweeps, the Commission is exploring ways to strengthen the deterrent effect of the Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation. The reply underscores ongoing efforts to ensure swift coordination across complementary EU enforcement systems, notably integrating actions with the Digital Services Act.

❓ Scrutiny Over Generative AI Risks to Minors Amid AI Act Simplification

In Parliamentary Question E-002828/2026 submitted on 8 July 2026, Şerban Dimitrie Sturdza questioned how the proposed digital omnibus simplifying the AI Act will maintain robust protections for minors interacting with generative AI systems. The inquiry seeks clarity on parental control mechanisms and consistency with the Digital Services Act to prevent regulatory gaps regarding age-inappropriate content. A response from the Commission is pending.

❓ Call for Binding Water Consumption Ceilings for AI Data Centres

In Parliamentary Question E-002764/2026 submitted on 3 July 2026, Ioan-Rareş Bogdan raised concerns over the escalating water footprint of AI infrastructure under the Energy Efficiency Directive. The question asks whether the Commission plans to move beyond reporting by introducing mandatory Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) ceilings and banning drinking water for cooling in vulnerable regions. A response from the Commission is pending.

❓ Concerns Over Diluted Sustainability Criteria for Data Centres

In Parliamentary Question E-002781/2026 submitted on 3 July 2026, Nicolás González Casares questioned the ongoing revision of the delegated act on data centre sustainability ratings. The inquiry focuses on whether new reporting requirements will genuinely reduce emissions and mandate additional renewable energy procurement, rather than allowing reliance on fossil fuels during peak demand. A response from the Commission is pending.

❓ Questions Emerge on the Commission’s Digital Public Infrastructure Strategy

In Parliamentary Question E-002848/2026 submitted on 9 July 2026, Alexandra Geese challenged the Commission’s decision to join a closed-source social media platform shortly after publishing a strategy emphasising open web technologies. The query asks if the Commission will prioritise open, interoperable ecosystems like ActivityPub to bolster European technological sovereignty. A response from the Commission is pending.

❗ Commission Reaffirms Offline Functionality and Privacy in Digital Euro Design

In Parliamentary Question E-001991/2026, the interplay between the digital euro and physical cash was examined. In a response on 16 July 2026, Commissioner Dombrovskis confirmed that the digital euro will complement cash and will not be programmable money, ensuring full fungibility. The reply indicates that resilience will be secured through European infrastructure, offline functionality, and the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA).

❓ Dynamic Pricing Algorithms Face Scrutiny Ahead of Major Events

In Parliamentary Question E-002518/2026 submitted on 17 June 2026, Adnan Dibrani and colleagues addressed the transparency and fairness of algorithm-driven dynamic pricing for major cultural and sporting events. The query asks if the Commission views the current EU framework as sufficient or if it will investigate dominant ticketing platforms for potential abuses under Article 102 of the TFEU. A response from the Commission is pending.

❗ Commission Defends Horizon Europe Funding Transparency

In Parliamentary Question E-000587/2026, the Commission was asked to address external allegations regarding its funding of disinformation researchers. In a response on 16 July 2026, Commissioner Zaharieva firmly rejected the claims, detailing the transparency mechanisms in place for Horizon Europe grants and external experts. The response positions the Commission’s participation in Digital Services Act-related events as standard capacity building rather than registrable lobbying.

❗ Commission Underlines Editorial Independence in EU-Funded Media Projects

In Parliamentary Question E-002042/2026, concerns were raised regarding EU co-financing for media organisations. In a response on 13 July 2026, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen confirmed that grants through Horizon Europe, DIGITAL, and Creative Europe strictly adhere to professional journalistic standards. The response emphasises that the Commission monitors project implementation without interfering in editorial independence, which remains a fundamental tenet of media freedom.

❓ U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Triggers Questions on EU-US Data Privacy Framework

In Parliamentary Question E-002823/2026 submitted on 8 July 2026, Aura Salla and a cross-party group of MEPs queried the stability of the EU-US Data Privacy Framework following a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The submission asks the Commission to assess the ruling’s implications for transatlantic data transfers and detail contingency measures to strengthen European data sovereignty. A response from the Commission is pending.

❗ Commission Clarifies GDPR and Anti-Discrimination Competences

In Parliamentary Question E-001867/2026, the intersection of diversity initiatives and data protection was questioned. In a response on 15 July 2026, Commissioner Lahbib confirmed that monitoring the General Data Protection Regulation falls to national data protection authorities. The reply frames voluntary diversity schemes as compatible with EU anti-discrimination directives, provided they respect established case law and State aid rules.

❗ Commission Details Cohesion and Research Funding for Wildfire Resilience

In Parliamentary Question E-001733/2026, the Commission was asked about support for disaster preparedness. In a response on 14 July 2026, Commissioner Lahbib outlined the mobilisation of cohesion funds and the EU Solidarity Fund for reconstruction. The response notes that Horizon Europe actively supports the development of innovative civil security solutions, including AI-based early warning and risk prediction systems.

The Commission’s recent replies demonstrate a strong emphasis on regulatory interoperability. The executive frequently links the Digital Services Act, the Digital Markets Act, the AI Act, and the forthcoming Digital Fairness Act as a cohesive enforcement ecosystem rather than isolated legislative files. This suggests a strategic pivot towards cross-border, cross-instrument enforcement, relying heavily on established frameworks like the Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation and the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) to ensure compliance.

Furthermore, there is a distinct focus on defending the integrity of EU funding mechanisms and standardisation processes against external and geopolitical pressures. The Commission firmly positions its Horizon Europe and digital infrastructure initiatives as transparent and fundamental to European sovereignty, rejecting allegations of bias or overreach. This framing indicates a robust institutional posture aimed at protecting European independence in digital standard-setting and media freedom.

Overall, the material reveals a phase of digital policy implementation characterised by rigorous defence of institutional processes. For public-affairs and regulatory professionals, this underscores the necessity of monitoring compliance across multiple intersecting frameworks simultaneously, as the Commission clearly views digital consumer protection, infrastructure sustainability, and market fairness as fundamentally linked objectives.

All Parliamentary Questions and Commission Answers are accessible via Policy-Insider.AI.