Overview
This report covers Parliamentary Questions (PQs) and Commission replies published from 26.07.2026 till 02.08.2026. The documented exchanges highlight a decisive regulatory focus on enforcing the Digital Services Act (DSA), implementing the AI Act, advancing the European Health Data Space (EHDS), and addressing geopolitical vulnerabilities through the Chips Act and digital infrastructure policies. Institutionally, the European Commission positions itself as a strict enforcer, consistently pointing to existing frameworks and systemic risk assessments to address emerging challenges, rather than conceding a need for immediate new legislation. For digital-policy professionals, these developments underscore a critical shift from legislative drafting to rigorous compliance monitoring, where platform accountability and data governance take centre stage.
DSA Enforcement & Platform Accountability
❗ Commission Relies on DSA to Address Illegal Medicines on VLOPs
In Parliamentary Question E-002337/26, Nicolás González Casares (S&D) and colleagues asked the Commission how it intends to combat the advertising of banned medicinal products on very large online platforms. In a response on 31 July 2026, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen confirmed that the DSA requires platforms to mitigate systemic risks to public health and maintain ad repositories, noting that the Commission has already taken enforcement actions against several major platforms for related compliance failures.
❗ Enforcement Actions Target Financial Scams on Major Platforms
In Parliamentary Question E-002217/26, Adnan Dibrani (S&D) and a coalition of MEPs questioned the Commission on persistent financial scam advertisements on Meta, TikTok, and Google. In a response on 28 July 2026, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen stated that the Commission is actively investigating these platforms under the DSA and is preparing a comprehensive action plan against digital fraud for autumn 2026.
❗ Commission Scrutinises Mobile Gaming Monetisation Under DSA and DMA
In Parliamentary Question E-002116/26, Nicolás González Casares (S&D) and Laura Ballarín Cereza (S&D) raised concerns over manipulative monetisation and loot boxes in mobile games distributed via major app stores. In a response on 30 July 2026, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen highlighted that designated gatekeepers and VLOPs bear strict risk-mitigation obligations, confirming that the Commission has formally requested information from Apple and Google regarding the protection of minors and the prevention of fraudulent content.
❗ DSA Application to Artificial Streaming Count Manipulation
In Parliamentary Question E-002243/2026, an MEP asked how the Digital Services Act addresses the artificial inflation of streaming counts. In a response on 31 July 2026, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen clarified that such practices constitute intentional service manipulation, requiring VLOPs and VLOSEs to assess and mitigate these systemic risks, particularly when automated tools or AI are used to generate deceptive activity.
❓ MEPs Press for Action Against Russian Bot Networks on X and Instagram
In Parliamentary Question E-003050/2026, Alexandra Geese (Verts/ALE) and colleagues asked the Commission what specific actions it is taking under the DSA to disable coordinated bot networks spreading disinformation ahead of European elections. A response from the Commission is pending.
AI Act Implementation & Digital Markets Act (DMA)
❗ Commission Evaluates WhatsApp Zero-Log AI Under AI Act and DSA
In Parliamentary Question E-002350/26, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová (Renew) and others inquired about the compatibility of WhatsApp’s zero-log Meta AI feature with EU digital legislation. In a response on 27 July 2026, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen stated that while the AI Act does not explicitly ban zero-log architectures for non-high-risk systems, providers of advanced general-purpose AI models must still mitigate systemic risks, and the Commission is actively monitoring compliance alongside the Irish Digital Services Coordinator.
❓ Clarification Sought on AI Act Scope for Financial Regression Models
In Parliamentary Question E-003010/2026, Arba Kokalari (PPE) and colleagues asked the Commission how it will ensure that linear and logistic regression models used in financial services remain excluded from the AI Act’s scope, consistent with OECD approaches. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Potential DMA Designation for AI Agents
In Parliamentary Question E-003061/2026, Stéphanie Yon-Courtin (Renew) asked whether the Commission will open market investigations under the Digital Markets Act to designate providers of AI agents as gatekeepers and ensure interoperability. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Security Safeguards in DMA Interoperability for Agentic AI
In Parliamentary Question E-003096/2026, Emil Radev (PPE) asked the Commission to assess whether DMA interoperability obligations for mobile operating systems preserve cybersecurity and privacy protections in the context of agentic AI. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Copyright Protection and GPAI Data Provenance
In Parliamentary Question E-002819/2026, Andreas Schwab (PPE) questioned the Commission on enforcement actions against general-purpose AI providers circumventing copyright obligations by destructively scanning physical books to mask data provenance. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ EU and UK Coordinate on Digital Markets Regulation
In Parliamentary Question P-002745/26, Andreas Schwab (PPE) asked about closer cooperation between the Commission and the UK Competition and Markets Authority regarding the DMA. In a response on 30 July 2026, Executive Vice-President Ribera confirmed ongoing senior-level engagement and information exchange under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, noting that current fora are sufficient without requiring legal amendments.
Cyber Resilience & NIS2 Directive
❓ Romania’s NIS2 Compliance Questioned Following Cyberattacks
In Parliamentary Question P-003058/2026, Georgiana Teodorescu (ECR) asked the Commission whether recent cyberattacks on Romanian critical digital infrastructure were reported under NIS2 mechanisms and whether the country has properly transposed the directive’s supervisory framework. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Security Risks of Foreign-Controlled EV Charging Infrastructure
In Parliamentary Question E-003112/2026, Christine Anderson (ESN) asked if the Commission will apply funding restrictions and security assessments under the NIS2 Directive to foreign-controlled charging networks presenting elevated cyber risks. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Commission Defers AI Act Enforcement on Tax Authority Forensic Tools to Member States
In Parliamentary Question E-002033/26, Alvise Pérez (NI) asked whether the Spanish Tax Agency’s use of forensic AI tools complies with the AI Act and GDPR. In a response on 27 July 2026, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen clarified that while high-risk AI systems face strict requirements, the classification and oversight of such tools fall within the competence of national market surveillance and data protection authorities.
❗ GDPR and DSA Obligations Applied to Smart Glasses Recording
In Parliamentary Question E-002205/26, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (Renew) asked about the data protection implications of camera-enabled smart glasses used to record public workers. In a response on 30 July 2026, Mr McGrath confirmed that such devices are subject to GDPR principles of fairness and transparency, and that platforms hosting this content must provide accessible notice-and-action mechanisms under the DSA.
❓ MEPs Seek Assurances on AI Ethics and Human Oversight
In Parliamentary Question E-003017/2026, Fernand Kartheiser (NI) asked if the Commission intends to propose legislation ensuring that AI decisions remain subject to human oversight and free from ideological bias. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Fundamental Rights Concerns Over Chat Control Proposals
In Parliamentary Question E-003023/2026, Stanisław Tyszka (ESN) questioned the Commission on the compatibility of mass communication scanning under the Chat Control system with the Charter of Fundamental Rights. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ US FTC Independence and Data Adequacy Decision
In Parliamentary Question E-002991/2026, Moritz Körner (Renew) asked whether the Commission will revoke the US data adequacy decision following a US Supreme Court judgment removing statutory protections for Federal Trade Commission members against politically motivated dismissal. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Privacy Loopholes in Driver Monitoring Systems
In Parliamentary Question E-003024/2026, Stanisław Tyszka (ESN) asked how the Commission intends to prevent vehicle manufacturers from circumventing GDPR safeguards when using driver distraction warning cameras for secondary functions. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Commission Monitors Spyware Allegations Involving EU Officials
In Parliamentary Question E-001981/26, Nikolas Farantouris (S&D) and colleagues asked if the Commission will investigate whether EU officials were surveilled via the Predator spyware scandal in Greece. In a response on 24 July 2026, Mr Serafin stated the Commission has no information indicating its staff were targeted but confirmed it has strengthened its security framework following the PEGA Committee recommendations.
❗ Rule of Law Assessment Incorporates Greek Spyware Developments
In Parliamentary Question E-002087/26, Nikolas Farantouris (S&D) asked if a recent Commission visit to Greece covered the wiretapping scandal and related rule-of-law concerns. In a response on 27 July 2026, Mr McGrath confirmed that stakeholders raised issues regarding spyware and independent authorities, which were incorporated into the 2026 Rule of Law Report.
❗ EHDS Certification Costs for SMEs Addressed
In Parliamentary Question E-002065/26, Piotr Müller (ECR) asked how the Commission will ensure that European Health Data Space certification costs do not become a barrier for SMEs. In a response on 28 July 2026, Mr Várhelyi explained that the EHDS Regulation establishes a self-certification procedure for electronic health record systems to explicitly limit administrative burdens for manufacturers of all sizes.
❓ Implementation Costs and Patient Protections in the EHDS
In Parliamentary Question E-003022/2026, Stanisław Tyszka (ESN) requested detailed cost estimates for implementing the European Health Data Space and asked how patients’ rights to object to secondary data use will be safeguarded. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Security Requirements for the EUDI Wallet
In Parliamentary Question E-003114/2026, Regina Doherty (PPE) asked why the Commission did not mandate phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication and hardware-backed security as minimum requirements for the European Digital Identity Wallet. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Operational Scope of the European Police Cloud
In Parliamentary Question E-003041/2026, Nadine Morano (PPE) asked how the Commission will ensure that the proposed European police cloud effectively facilitates operational data sharing while respecting Member States’ national security prerogatives. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ National Spectrum Auction Proceeds as EU Own Resources
In Parliamentary Question E-003086/2026, Piotr Müller (ECR) asked if the Commission is considering redirecting proceeds from national spectrum auctions to the EU budget under the Digital Networks Act, and on what legal basis. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Commission Evaluates MiCA Updates and Digital Euro Impacts
In Parliamentary Question E-002147/26, Ilhan Kyuchyuk (Renew) asked about future regulatory measures for cryptocurrencies and decentralised finance. In a response on 24 July 2026, Ms Albuquerque confirmed that the Commission is assessing whether the EU framework requires updates to address emerging risks, noting that anti-money laundering obligations have already been extended to all crypto-asset service providers.
❓ Digital Euro Obligations for Non-Euro Area Banks
In Parliamentary Question E-002917/2026, Stanisław Tyszka (ESN) asked if the Commission considers it proportionate to oblige Polish banks to bear the costs of implementing the digital euro despite operating outside the euro area. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Transparency Rules Strengthened for Digital Financial Services
In Parliamentary Question E-002233/26, Loucas Fourlas (PPE) inquired about rising bank fees and consumer protection in digital transactions. In a response on 31 July 2026, Ms Albuquerque stated that the forthcoming Payment Services Regulation will introduce additional transparency on currency conversion charges, complemented by the upcoming Digital Fairness Act.
❓ Consumer Rights and Digital Game Ownership
In Parliamentary Question E-002913/2026, Karin Karlsbro (Renew) asked how the Commission assesses the compatibility of publisher practices that permanently disable legally purchased digital games with EU consumer protection legislation. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Commission Prepares Affordable Housing Act to Address Short-Term Rentals
In Parliamentary Question E-002274/26, Jaume Asens Llodrà (Verts/ALE) asked if the European housing plan will include binding measures on tourist rentals. In a response on 28 July 2026, Mr Jørgensen confirmed that the Commission will propose an Affordable Housing Act in 2026 to help public authorities identify housing stress areas and leverage harmonised data from the new Short-term Rentals Regulation.
❗ Decentralised IT Infrastructure Confirmed for Digital Product Passports
In Parliamentary Question P-002489/26, Sunčana Glavak (PPE) asked about the compliance costs and infrastructure for the Digital Product Passport (DPP). In a response on 27 July 2026, Executive Vice-President Séjourné clarified that the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation mandates a decentralised DPP IT infrastructure, with specific delegated acts subject to detailed impact assessments and SME checks.
❗ Commission Monitors National Ticketing Rules Under E-Commerce Directive
In Parliamentary Question E-002124/26, Georgia Tramacere (S&D) and colleagues raised concerns that Italian ticketing rules create barriers to e-commerce. In a response on 28 July 2026, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen noted that current information does not suggest a breach of the E-Commerce Directive, as the measures regulate purchase conditions rather than the provision of information society services.
❗ Single Digital Gateway Expanded to Reduce Bureaucratic Burden
In Parliamentary Question E-001785/26, Emmanouil Fragkos (ECR) asked about technological tools to alleviate administrative barriers for businesses. In a response on 29 July 2026, Executive Vice-President Séjourné highlighted the ongoing rollout of the Single Digital Gateway and the Once-Only Technical System, designed to enable cross-border document exchange and fully digital company registration.
❓ EU AI Competitiveness and Microchip Supply Chains
In Parliamentary Question E-003018/2026, Fernand Kartheiser (NI) asked how the Commission intends to secure Europe’s technological presence amid US and Chinese investments and the energy demands of AI infrastructure. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Impact of US Microchip Export Restrictions on the Internal Market
In Parliamentary Question E-003020/2026, Fernand Kartheiser (NI) asked how the Commission is responding to US export restrictions on AI-essential microchips to safeguard the internal market and secure rare earth supplies. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Commission Deploys Democracy Shield Against Foreign Interference
In Parliamentary Question P-002303/26, Fabio De Masi (NI) asked how the Commission addresses foreign interference in EU elections via financial contributions. In a response on 28 July 2026, Mr McGrath detailed measures under the European Democracy Shield, including the newly established European Centre for Democratic Resilience and bans under the Political Advertising Regulation.
❗ Al Jazeera Operations Assessed Under Media Freedom Act
In Parliamentary Question P-002138/26, Christine Anderson (ESN) and Charlie Weimers (ECR) asked if state-linked media like Al Jazeera face the same scrutiny as Russian networks. In a response on 29 July 2026, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen stated the EU has no evidence of operational links between Al Jazeera and Islamist movements, but noted that the European Media Freedom Act enhances transparency for media ownership and third-country advertising revenues.
❗ Political Advertising Regulation and National Party Obligations
In Parliamentary Question E-002185/26, Regina Doherty (PPE) asked about the implementation burden of the Political Advertising Regulation on national political parties. In a response on 27 July 2026, Mr McGrath clarified that political parties, acting as sponsors, are responsible for the truthfulness of provided information but are not liable for the actual labelling of advertisements by service providers.
❓ Implementation of the Special Panel on Children in the Digital World
In Parliamentary Question E-003064/2026, Maria Guzenina (S&D) and a coalition of MEPs asked which recommendations from the Commission’s Special Panel will translate into concrete legislative initiatives to protect minors online. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Audiovisual Rules Applied to Media Coverage of Suicides
In Parliamentary Question E-002181/26, Nikos Pappas (The Left) asked about the adequacy of EU frameworks in protecting minors from sensationalist media coverage of suicides. In a response on 30 July 2026, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen affirmed that the Audiovisual Media Services Directive and the DSA oblige platforms to protect minors, while the EMFA relies on self-regulatory mechanisms for editorial standards.
❗ DigiNeX Network Coordinates Anti-Smuggling Operations Without AI Tools
In Parliamentary Question E-002255/26, Özlem Demirel (The Left) asked about the use of AI tools by Europol and Frontex via the DigiNeX platform. In a response on 27 July 2026, Mr Brunner clarified that DigiNeX is a network of digital investigators, not a technical platform, and does not provide AI tools, operating instead within Europol’s existing support services.
❗ Data Protection in Public Educational Platforms Deferred to National Authorities
In Parliamentary Question E-002245/26, Vicent Marzà Ibáñez (Verts/ALE) asked if using an educational platform to send political communications breaches the GDPR. In a response on 31 July 2026, Mr McGrath confirmed that public authorities are subject to the GDPR’s purpose limitation principles, but stated it is up to Spanish supervisory authorities to determine if a specific breach occurred.
❓ French Social Media Age Restrictions and EU Standstill Obligations
In Parliamentary Question P-003100/2026, Virginie Joron (PfE) asked if the French Parliament’s adoption of a bill banning social media access for minors under 15 violates the procedural standstill period under Directive (EU) 2015/1535. A response from the Commission is pending.
The Commission’s responses across this reporting period suggest a decisive shift from legislative design toward rigorous implementation and enforcement. In its replies concerning the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the AI Act, the Commission consistently points to existing horizontal mechanisms—such as systemic risk assessments for very large online platforms (VLOPs) and reporting obligations—rather than indicating an appetite for immediate sectoral revisions. This framing positions the EU as a mature regulator focusing on compliance, placing the burden of proof regarding risk mitigation squarely on platforms and developers.
A strong narrative of digital sovereignty and infrastructural resilience also emerges across multiple policy domains. Discussions spanning cloud infrastructure, digital identity (eIDAS), and foreign interference highlight a strategic drive to insulate the single market from external vulnerabilities. The Commission frames these issues as matters of systemic security, employing tools like the European Media Freedom Act, the Political Advertising Regulation, and the NIS2 Directive to counter both technological dependencies and coordinated disinformation campaigns.
Ultimately, this material reveals a regulatory environment where the complex interplay of EU frameworks increasingly intersects with national competencies. For digital-policy professionals, the Commission’s posture indicates that future advocacy and strategic alignment must pivot toward navigating strict compliance mandates, technical standard-setting, and robust supervisory oversight at both the EU and Member State levels.
All Parliamentary Questions and Commission Answers are accessible via Policy-Insider.AI.
