The European Parliament appears satisfied with the approach adopted by the European Commission towards online platforms. In a non-legislative report adopted on Thursday 15 June, MEPs said that they should promote online platforms, ensure fair competition and protect consumers.
The resolution drafted by Philippe Juvin (EPP, France) and Henna Virkunnen (EPP, Finland), follows on from the Commission’s communication on the prospects and challenges for these platforms in Europe (see EUROPE 11558). It focuses on the idea of defining online platforms in specific sectoral legislation throughout the Union “by adopting a problems-based approach” and making a distinction between business to consumer platforms (B2C) and inter-business platforms (B2B).
In addition to the definition, the resolution also focuses on the need for transparency on the use of algorithms and for a level playing field.
With regard to the difficult question of the obligations incumbent on intermediaries, MEPs call on the Commission to provide guidance on implementing the intermediary liability framework and highlight the fact that the platforms that do not play a neutral role under the terms of the directive on e-commerce are not exempt from liability. They also call on the Commission to give its opinion “as soon as possible” on the possible need for formal notice and action procedures in this area. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)