Daily News 16 / 05 / 2024

Commission opens formal proceedings against Meta under the Digital Services Act related to the protection of minors on Facebook and Instagram

Today, the Commission has opened formal proceedings to assess whether Meta, the provider of Facebook and Instagram, may have breached the Digital Services Act (DSA) in areas linked to the protection of minors. 

The Commission is concerned that the systems of both Facebook and Instagram, including their algorithms, may stimulate behavioural addictions in children, as well as create so-called 'rabbit-hole effects'. In addition, the Commission is also concerned about age-assurance and verification methods put in place by Meta.

Executive Vice-President for a Europe Fit for the Digital Age, Margrethe Vestager, said: “Today we are taking another step to ensure safety for young online users. With the Digital Services Act we established rules that can protect minors when they interact online. We have concerns that Facebook and Instagram may stimulate behavioural addiction and that the methods of age verification that Meta has put in place on their services is not adequate and will now carry on an in-depth investigation. We want to protect young people's mental and physical health.”

Commissioner for Internal Market, Thierry Breton, said: “Today we open formal proceedings against Meta. We are not convinced that it has done enough to comply with the DSA obligations to mitigate the risks of negative effects to the physical and mental health of young Europeans on its platforms Facebook and Instagram. We will now investigate in-depth the potential addictive and “rabbit hole” effects of the platforms, the effectiveness of their age verification tools, and the level of privacy afforded to minors in the functioning of recommender systems. We are sparing no effort to protect our children.”

Today's opening of proceedings is based on a preliminary analysis of the risk assessment report sent by Meta in September 2023, Meta's replies to the Commission's formal requests for information (on the protection of minors and the methodology of the risk assessment), publicly available reports as well as the Commission's own analysis.

On 30 April 2024, the Commission had already opened formal proceedings against Meta, in relation to both Facebook and Instagram, on deceptive advertising, political content, notice and action mechanisms, data access for researchers, as well as on the non-availability of an effective third-party real-time civic discourse and election-monitoring tool ahead of the European Parliament elections. 

You can find more information in our press release.

(For more information: Johanna Bernsel — Tel.: + 32 2 298 66 99; Thomas Regnier – Tel.: +32 2 291 33 91)

Commission announces 2023 Gender Equality Champions in Research & Innovation

The Commission has announced the three institutions winning the Gender Equality Champions Award for 2023: the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), from France; the Universitat Rovira i Virgili, from Spain; as well as the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, from Ireland. Each winner will receive a prize of €100,000. 

Iliana Ivanova, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said: “I warmly congratulate the winners of the Horizon Europe Award for Gender Equality Champions. Their remarkable achievements in creating more gender-equal working environments are an inspiration to organisations across the European Research Area. I look forward to hearing how our new champions will team up and strengthen the Champions League initiated last year with the first edition of this prize!” 

The EU Award for Gender Equality Champions, an annual recognition prize launched in 2022, is the European Commission's initiative to recognise and celebrate the outstanding results achieved by European academic and research organisations through the implementation of Gender Equality Plans. It is meant to complement and boost the Gender Equality Plan eligibility criterion, as well as to be an incentive to advance inclusive gender equality plans and policies in the framework of the new European Research Area (ERA). 

You will find more information here.

(For more information: Johanna Bernsel — Tel.: + 32 2 298 66 99; Thomas Regnier – Tel.: +32 2 291 33 91)

La Commission investit plus d'un milliard d'euros dans 54 projets industriels de défense ambitieux au titre du Fonds européen de la défense

La Commission a annoncé aujourd'hui les résultats des appels à propositions 2023 au titre du Fonds européen de la défense (FED), s'élevant à 1031 millions d'euros de financement de l'UE soutenant 54 projets européens communs de recherche et de développement en matière de défense.

Les projets sélectionnés soutiendront l'excellence technologique dans un large éventail de capacités de défense dans des domaines critiques, notamment la cyberdéfense, le combat terrestre, aérien et naval, la protection des actifs spatiaux ou la défense chimique, biologique, radiologique et nucléaire (CBRN). Ils contribueront aux priorités capacitaires de l'UE, à une meilleure connaissance de la situation pour garantir l'accès à l'espace et au développement de technologies pour un futur char de combat. Ils soutiendront également le transport aérien stratégique de marchandises surdimensionnées, qui constitue une capacité essentielle pour soutenir rapidement les missions dans le monde entier.

Dans le cadre du programme européen d'innovation en matière de défense (EUDIS) du programme FED, les PME, les start-ups et les nouveaux entrants dans le secteur de la défense ont bénéficié de plusieurs opportunités offertes durant le cycle de financement 2023 du FED. Pour la première fois, quatre projets soutiendront le transfert de l'innovation civile vers la défense.

Plus d'informations sont disponibles dans un communiqué de presse et une série de fiches techniques.

(Pour plus d'informations : Johanna Bernsel — Tél.: + 32 2 298 66 99 ; Flore Boutier - Tél.: +32 2 296 60 43) 

EU supports improved Ukrainian–Moldovan border crossing cooperation as part of Solidarity Lanes

Today the European Commission, together with Ukraine, Moldova, Romania and the US are inaugurating the renewed Ukrainian-Moldovan border crossing point in Reni, Ukraine. As part of the Solidarity Lanes initiative, the Commission supported works on this border crossing point to allow for smoother traffic flow through the border as well as better connectivity between Ukraine, Moldova and Romania.

Joint Ukrainian-Moldovan border controls will speed up border crossings in both directions, allowing goods transported by road to reach their destination faster. Additionally, the EU has earmarked up to €11 million for further substantial renovation and potential expansion of the border crossing point as well as for the development of other priority border infrastructure. The inauguration takes place in the context of regular talks between the EU, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, and the US on further increasing the efficiency of the Danube corridor for current and future needs.

Adina Vălean, Commissioner for Transport, said: “Since the establishment of the Solidarity Lanes in May 2022, the Danube corridor has been an excellent example of the close cooperation between Ukraine, Moldova and Romania – the largest share of goods exiting and entering Ukraine have used this corridor for the past two years, with logistics costs comparable to the Black Sea route. With our support, today's inauguration of the enhanced border crossing between Ukraine and Moldova in Reni will further reduce the waiting times at the border, and thus increase the attractiveness of this route.”

To date, the Solidarity Lanes have allowed Ukraine to export more than 136 million tonnes of goods, including for example grain, ores, and steel, and to import more than 52 million tonnes of goods it needs. The Solidarity Lanes have generated some €50 billion of income for Ukraine's economy and allowed for imports into Ukraine of goods worth some €107 billion from the EU. 

(For more information: Adalbert Jahnz – Tel.: + 32 2 295 31 56; Maëlys Dreux – Tel.: +32 2 295 46 73)

La place de marché de vente de billets en ligne Viagogo s'engage à améliorer les conditions et l'information des consommateurs après un dialogue avec la Commission et les autorités de protection des consommateurs

À la suite d'un dialogue avec la Commission européenne et les autorités nationales des États membres chargées de la protection des consommateurs, Viagogo, la place de marché en ligne pour la vente d'occasion de billets d'événement, s'est engagée à mieux informer les consommateurs sur les conditions de revente des billets et à ne plus faire pression sur les consommateurs avec des messages de compte à rebours excessifs dans son rôle de commerçant.

La Commission et les autorités nationales de protection des consommateurs ont reçu de nombreuses plaintes concernant le site web de Viagogo, telles que le manque d'informations claires sur les taxes et les frais devant être payés par les consommateurs, que Viagogo s'est engagée à traiter.

Le réseau de coopération en matière de protection des consommateurs (CPC), coordonné par la Commission, a entamé un dialogue avec Viagogo en avril 2021. Après de multiples échanges, Viagogo a désormais accepté d'apporter une série de modifications aux versions de son site web destinées aux consommateurs de l'UE/EEE, d'ici à la fin du mois d'août 2024, en sa qualité de commerçant. Les modifications consistent, par exemple, à clarifier davantage la manière dont Viagogo classe les billets dans les résultats de recherche ; soit informer les consommateurs, déjà sur la page de sélection du billet, si le vendeur du billet est un commerçant ou un autre consommateur.

En outre, Viagogo a accepté de mettre en œuvre, d'ici la fin du mois d'août, un certain nombre de modifications et de clarifications apportées à plusieurs clauses de ses conditions générales.

Pour de plus amples informations, un communiqué de presse et une fiche d'information sont disponibles en ligne.

(Pour plus d'informations: Christian Wigand — Tél.: + 32 2 296 22 53; Jördis Ferroli — Tél.: + 32 2 299 27 29)

Le Luxembourg soumet une demande d'ajout d'un chapitre REPowerEU à son plan de relance

Le Luxembourg a présenté aujourd'hui une demande d'ajout d'un chapitre REPowerEU à son plan pour la reprise et la résilience. Ce chapitre inclut une nouvelle réforme visant à promouvoir la production et l'adoption de biogaz durable, ainsi que trois nouveaux investissements pour atteindre les objectifs de REPowerEU. Ces investissements concernent l'efficacité énergétique, les énergies renouvelables et la mobilité à zéro émission ; des subventions pour les personnes rénovant leur logement ou achetant des voitures et vélos électriques, ainsi que des subventions pour les entreprises installant des panneaux solaires dans leurs locaux.

La révision proposée du plan modifie également deux mesures antérieures : elle retire un projet de logement durable, la découverte d'un habitat naturel d'espèces protégées ayant empêché son achèvement dans les délais ; et elle apporte une légère modification à un investissement relatif à une application de télésurveillance médicale, en raison de contraintes techniques. Le financement du projet de logement sera réaffecté au chapitre REPowerEU.

Le Luxembourg a demandé le transfert de sa part de la réserve d'ajustement au Brexit, soit 128 millions d'euros, à son plan pour la reprise et la résilience. Avec l'allocation de sa subvention REPowerEU (30 millions d'euros), ces fonds portent la contribution totale de l'UE au chapitre REPowerEU du Luxembourg à 158 millions d'euros, et portent le total de son plan pour la reprise et la résilience à 241 millions d'euros.

La Commission dispose maintenant de deux mois pour évaluer si le plan modifié satisfait toujours aux critères d'évaluation du règlement RRF. Si l'évaluation de la Commission est positive, elle proposera une décision d'exécution révisée du Conseil, afin de refléter les modifications apportées au plan du Luxembourg. Les États membres auront alors jusqu'à quatre semaines pour approuver l'évaluation de la Commission.

(Pour plus d'informations : Veerle Nuyts — Tél.: + 32 2 299 63 02 ; Quentin Cortès – Tél. : +32 2 291 32 83)

STATEMENTS

Joint statement by HR/VP Borrell and Commissioner Ivanova on the 70^th anniversary of the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the event of Armed Conflict and its first Protocol

The High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Vice-President (HR/VP) of the European Commission, Josep Borrell, and Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Iliana Ivanova, issued the following statement to mark the 70^th anniversary of the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the event of Armed Conflict and its first Protocol:

“70 years ago, in May 1954, the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the event of Armed Conflict, together with its first Protocol, was adopted. It was the first international multilateral treaty exclusively focused on the protection of cultural heritage. It has paved the way for manifold efforts and instruments for the protection of cultural heritage, including the fight against impunity of perpetrators, which remains crucial.

The EU supports the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO), which plays a key role in disseminating and monitoring the compliance of the agreements on the protection of cultural property.

We deplore when cultural heritage is damaged or destroyed in armed conflict today and we condemn the deliberate targeting of cultural heritage sites.

Any damage to cultural property affects humankind's heritage.

The European Union will continue to advocate for the universal respect of the Hague Convention, help partners to stabilise and protect cultural heritage, and promote documentation and investigation of crimes against cultural heritage with the aim to ensure accountability for the perpetrators of these crimes.

Cultural heritage is a tool for reconciliation and social cohesion. It is a driver of economic development and a solid ground for societal resilience that can support a sustainable recovery and lasting peace.”

You can also read the statement online.

(For more information: Nabila Massrali – Tel.: +32 229 88093; Johanna Bernsel - Tel.: +32 2 298 66 99)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Commissioner Breton in Germany to engage with government and industry on EU competitiveness and economic security

The Commissioner for Internal Market, Thierry Breton, has started a 2-day mission in Germany to engage with government and industry on current EU priorities, spanning from Clean Tech to Aerospace and Automotive. The Commission is committed to boost manufacturing of clean technologies and ensure the EU industry remains competitive globally.

This morning, Commissioner Breton discussed current EU political priorities with Wolfgang Schmidt, Minister in the Federal Chancellery. He then exchanged with members of the EU affairs Committee at the German Bundestag, followed by a meeting with Anton Hofreiter, President of the Committee. He later met with Robert Habeck, Minister for Economy and Climate, to discuss the implementation of the EU Acts on Net Zero Industry, Critical Raw Materials, Chips and Artificial Intelligence, as well as future priorities to ensure the EU's competitiveness and economic security.

This afternoon, the Commissioner will meet with Christian Lindner, Minister of Finance, to discuss on EU competitiveness and investment needs, before meeting with Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Chair of the Defence Committee of the Bundestag, to discuss the EU defence industrial ramp-up and support to Ukraine. He will then visit the Siemens electrolyser production Facility, an illustration of the EU's effort to lead the Clean Tech global race and a key asset to achieve Europe's clean hydrogen ambition.

Tomorrow, Commissioner Breton will travel to the Lausitz region with Christian Ehler, Member of the European Parliament, to participate at the ‘DOCK3' event on structural change, economic transition, and digitisation in public administration and education, among other topics. The Commissioner will discuss with local leaders how to rapidly ramp up net zero technology manufacturing capacities in the Lausitz region, by becoming one of the first Net Zero Acceleration Valleys in Europe.

(For more information: Johanna Bernsel – Tel.: + 32 2 298 66 99; Federica Miccoli – Tel.: +32 2 295 83 00)

Liste des points prévus à l'ordre du jour des prochaines réunions de la Commission

Veuillez noter que ces informations sont données sous réserve de modifications.

Prochains événements de la Commission européenne

Eurostat: communiqués de presse