The midterm review for the single digital market strategy is taking shape. Far from being revolutionary, the communication, expected for Wednesday 10 May, will, above all, help to reaffirm the Commission’s approach to data circulation and online platforms, as well as help provide an update on on-going projects.
EUROPE has obtained a copy of the text and it is divided into three chapters: an appeal for swift and effective implementation; managing the digital transformation of our society and economy; following up the pace of digital developments and challenges.
Platforms: Community reporting procedure
The draft communication tackles the difficult question of online platforms and repeats the need to create a level playing field that promotes innovation and prevents illegal content.
The Commission, however, is still not very clear on the means to achieve this result. It reaffirms its decision not to revise the e-Commerce directive’s exemption on responsibility and to promote harmonisation of European wide reporting procedures in an effort to facilitate the swift withdrawal of illegal content. It also points out that it will carry out an, “impact study on legal fragmentation and uncertainty relating to the withdrawal of illegal content by the platforms”, with possible key legislative/non-legislative initiatives.
With regard to the question of a level playing field, the Commission points out that it carried out an analysis up to the end of January on the link between the platforms and companies. It also said that it would be launching an impact study on unfair contractual clauses and unfair practices by platforms and companies. The draft text indicates that this approach could possibly lead to, “initiatives in the shape of self/ co-regulation or a Community instrument”.
Promoting innovation
The communication also tackles the huge issue of data and big data. According to the draft text, the Commission is committed to examining the questions still pending in the general regulation on data protection and has announced that it will be presenting measures on the free flow of data, this autumn.
The European Commission is also looking at the possible need to introduce additional measures to increase access and reuse of non-personal data generated by machines or by public data or data financed out of public funding. It will also be looking at ways of defining the principles of responsibility in the event of damages caused by data dependent products, such as connected cars. The document also indicates that a strategic vision on artificial intelligence will be published by the end of 2017.
With regard to online health and healthcare, the Commission explains that it intends to work on data sharing measures, support for the provision of big data applications and facilitating communication between patients and healthcare providers.
On the issue of cyber security, the Commission is also expected to update the current 2013 European strategy by September this year and to revise the European Union Agency for Network and Information Security’s (ENISA) mandate in the context of the 2016/1148 directive on network security. There is also a possibility that it will develop measures on standards for product certification and labelling, in an effort to improve user information.
The draft document also announces the launch of a pilot project on digital opportunities in 2017, as a means of providing graduates with hands-on experience through cross-border placements in the digital field. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)