Lutnick ties US tech investment and a steel and aluminum deal to EU softening DSA and DMA enforcement, while Brussels doubles down on its digital rulebook and simplification agenda.
European Parliament urges an EU-wide under‑16 default ban on social media, targeting addictive design and dark patterns, while pressing to strengthen child protection beyond the DSA.
The General Court upheld the Commission’s designation of Amazon Store as a DSA VLOP, confirming the legality and proportionality of enhanced obligations for very large online platforms.
Commission confirms DSA’s VLOP/VLOSE criteria fit for purpose, maps overlaps with 54 EU acts, and calls for clearer coordination to ensure coherent, legally certain digital regulation.
The Commission’s Democracy Shield and Civil Society Strategy strengthen EU defenses against disinformation, support free media and elections, and expand protection and funding for civil society.
Ireland’s media regulator probes X for potential DSA breaches on user appeals, transparency, and complaints, with possible fines up to 6% of annual turnover and parallel EU scrutiny ongoing.
WhatsApp’s open channels will be designated a DSA VLOP, triggering audits, content moderation and transparency duties while private messaging remains unaffected.
The EU will decide by mid-2026 how the DSA applies to ChatGPT, shaping overlapping obligations with the AI Act on systemic risks, algorithmic transparency, and potential fines up to 6 percent of global turnover.
EU MEPs back a Digital Fairness Act push to curb manipulative online features targeting minors, including loot boxes, with privacy-preserving age assurance and stronger safe-by-design duties.
Apple argues DMA obligations weaken iOS security and conflict with DSA duties, amid a €500 million fine and widening EU–U.S. tensions over platform regulation.