Activities of Rasmus ANDRESEN related to 2020/0374(COD)
Plenary speeches (1)
Digital Markets Act (debate)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on contestable and fair markets in the digital sector (Digital Markets Act)
Amendments (284)
Amendment 88 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) Digital services in general and online platforms in particular play an increasingly important role in the economy, in particular in the internal market, by providing new business opportunities in the Union and facilitating cross-border trading and a greater choice in products and services provided to the consumers and business users.
Amendment 90 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) Core platform services, at the same time, feature a number of characteristics that can be exploited by their providers. These characteristics of core platform services include among others extreme scale economies, which often result from nearly zero marginal costs to add business users or end users. Other characteristics of core platform services are very strong network effects, an ability to connect many business users with many end users through the multi-sidedness of these services, a significant degree of dependence of both business users and end users, lock-in effects, a lack of multi- homing for the same purpose by end users, vertical integration, and data driven- advantages. All these characteristics combined with unfair conduct by providers of these services can have the effect of substantially undermining the contestability of the core platform services, as well as impacting the fairness of the commercial relationship between providers of such services and their business users and end users, leading to rapid and potentially far-reaching decreases in business users’ and end users’ choice in practice, and therefore can confer to the provider of those services the position of a so-called gatekeeper. It is important to note that end users are similarly affected by unfair practices by gatekeepers and their interests should be taken into account in the obligations to be imposed under this Regulation.
Amendment 96 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) Articles 101 and 102 TFEU and the corresponding national competition rules concerning anticompetitive multilateral and unilateral conduct as well as merger control have as their objective the protection of undistorted competition on the market. This Regulation pursues an objective that is complementary to, but different from that of protecting undistorted competition on any given market, as defined in competition-law terms, which is to ensure that markets where gatekeepers are present are and remain contestable and fair, independently from the actual, likely or presumed effects of the conduct of a given gatekeeper covered by this Regulation on competition on a given market. This Regulation therefore aims at protecting a different legal interest from those rules and should be without prejudice tocomplement their application.
Amendment 98 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) This Regulation should also complement, without prejudice to their application, the rules resulting from other acts of Union law regulating certain aspects of the provision of services covered by this Regulation, in particular Regulation (EU) 2019/1150 of the European Parliament and of the Council26 , Regulation (EU) xx/xx/EU [DSA] of the European Parliament and of the Council27 , Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council28 , and Directive 2002/58/EC28a, Directive (EU) 2019/790 of the European Parliament and of the Council29 , Directive (EU) 2015/2366 of the European Parliament and of the Council30 , and Directive (EU) 2010/13 of the European Parliament and of the Council31 , as well as national rules aimed at enforcing or, as the case may be, implementing that Union legislation. _________________ 26 Regulation (EU) 2019/1150 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on promoting fairness and transparency for business users of online intermediation services (OJ L 186, 11.7.2019, p. 57). 27Regulation (EU) …/.. of the European Parliament and of the Council – proposal on a Single Market For Digital Services (Digital Services Act) and amending Directive 2000/31/EC. 28Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation) (OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 1). 28aDirective 2002/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 2002 concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector (Directive on privacy and electronic communications) 29 Directive (EU) 2019/790 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on copyright and related rights in the Digital Single Market and amending Directives 96/9/EC and 2001/29/ (OJ L 130, 17.5.2019, p. 92.). 30Directive (EU) 2015/2366 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2015 on payment services in the internal market, amending Directives 2002/65/EC, 2009/110/EC and 2013/36/EU and Regulation (EU) No 1093/2010, and repealing Directive 2007/64/EC ( OJ L 337, 23.12.2015, p. 35). 31Directive 2010/13/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 March 2010 on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the provision of audiovisual media services (Audiovisual Media Services Directive) (OJ L 95, 15.4.2010, p. 1).
Amendment 100 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) Weak contestability and unfair practices in the digital sector are more frequent and pronounced for certain digital services than for others. This is the case in particular for widespread and commonly used digital services that mostly directly intermediate between business users and end users and where features such as extreme scale economies, very strong network effects, an ability to connect many business users with many end users through the multi-sidedness of these services, lock-in effects, a lack of multi- homing or vertical integration are the most prevalent. Often, there is only one or very few large providers of those digital services. These providers of core platform services have emerged most frequently as gatekeepers for business users and end users with far-reaching impacts, gaining the ability to easily set commercial conditions and terms in a unilateral and detrimental manner for their business users and end users. Accordingly, it is necessary to focus only on all those digital services that are most broadly used by business users and end users and where, based on current market conditions, concerns about weak contestability and unfair practices by gatekeepers are more apparent and pressing from an internal market perspective.
Amendment 104 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) In particular, online intermediation services, online search engines, operating systems, online social networking, video sharing platform services, number- independent interpersonal communication services, cloud computing services and online advertising, including business to business clouds, online advertising, embedded digital services in vehicles, browsers, voice assistants, connected tv and collaborative economy services all have the capacity to affect a large number of end users and businesses alike, which entails a risk of unfair business practices. They therefore should be included in the definition of core platform services and fall into the scope of this Regulation. Online intermediation services may also be active in the field of financial services, and they may intermediate or be used to provide such services as listed non-exhaustively in Annex II to Directive (EU) 2015/1535 of the European Parliament and of the Council32 . In certain circumstances, the notion of end users should encompass users that are traditionally considered business users, but in a given situation do not use the core platform services to provide goods or services to other end users, such as for example businesses relying on cloud computing services for their own purposes. _________________ 32Directive (EU) 2015/1535 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 September 2015 laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical regulations and of rules on Information Society services, OJ L 241, 17.9.2015, p. 1.
Amendment 107 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13 a (new)
Recital 13 a (new)
(13 a) In certain circumstances, the notion of end users should encompass users that are traditionally considered business users, but in a given situation do not use the core platform services to sell goods or services to other end users, such as for example businesses relying on cloud computing services for their own purposes.
Amendment 125 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
Recital 23
(23) Providers of core platform services which meet the quantitative thresholds but are able to present sufficiently substantiated arguments to demonstrate that, in the circumstances in which the relevant core platform service operates, they do not fulfil the objective requirements for a gatekeeper, should not be designated directly, but only subject to a further investigation. The burden of adducing evidence that the presumption deriving from the fulfilment of quantitative thresholds should not apply to a specific provider should be bbe subject to an assessment by the Commission whether they qualify or not as a gatekeeper in light of the argument presented. This assessment should be done within specific time limits and not lead to undue delay in designating the provider of a corne by that providplatform service as a gatekeeper. In its assessment, the Commission should take into account only the elements which directly relate to the requirements for constituting a gatekeeper, namely whether it is an important gateway which is operated by a provider with a significant impact in the internal market with an entrenched and durable position, either actual or foreseeable. Any justification on economic grounds seeking to demonstrate efficiencies deriving from a specific type of behaviour by the provider of core platform services should be discarded, as it is not relevant to the designation as a gatekeeper. The Commission should be able to take a decision by relying on the quantitative thresholds where the provider significantly obstructs the investigation by failing to comply with the investigative measures taken by the Commission.
Amendment 129 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) Digital services in general and online platforms in particular play an increasingly important role in the economy, in particular in the internal market, by providing new business opportunities in the Union and facilitating cross-border trading but also to the benefit of consumers with a greater choice in products and services provided.
Amendment 130 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) Core platform services, at the same time, feature a number of characteristics that can be exploited by their providers. These characteristics of core platform services include among others extreme scale economies, which often result from nearly zero marginal costs to add business users or end users. Other characteristics of core platform services are very strong network effects, an ability to connect many business users with many end users through the multi-sidedness of these services, a significant degree of dependence of both business users and end users, lock-in effects, a lack of multi- homing for the same purpose by end users, vertical integration, and data driven- advantages. All these characteristics combined with unfair conduct by providers of these services can have the effect of substantially undermining the contestability of the core platform services, as well as impacting the fairness of the commercial relationship between providers of such services and their business users and end users, and lowering of consumer protection standards; leading to rapid and potentially far-reaching decreases in business users’ and end users’ choice in practice, and therefore can confer to the provider of those services the position of a so-called gatekeeper. End users are similarly affected by unfair practices by gatekeepers and their interests should be taken into account in the obligations to be imposed under this Regulation.
Amendment 131 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26
Recital 26
(26) A particular subset of rules should apply to those providers of core platform services that are foreseen to enjoy an entrenched and durable position in the near future for instance because the Commission has been notified of an intended concentration and assessed its impact on the contestability of digital markets. The same specific features of core platform services make them prone to tipping: once a service provider has obtained a certain advantage over rivals or potential challengers in terms of scale or intermediation power, its position may become unassailable and the situation may evolve to the point that it is likely to become durable and entrenched in the near future. Undertakings can try to induce this tipping and emerge as gatekeeper by using some of the unfair conditions and practices regulated in this Regulation. In such a situation, it appears appropriate to intervene before the market tips irreversibly.
Amendment 137 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 31
Recital 31
(31) To ensure the effectiveness of the review of gatekeeper status as well as the possibility to adjust the list of core platform services provided by a gatekeeper, the gatekeepers should inform the Commission of all of their intended and concluded acquisitions of other providers of core platform services or any other services provided within the digital sector. Such information should not only serve the review process mentioned above, regarding the status of individual gatekeepers, but will also provide information that is crucial to monitoring broader contestability trends in the digital sector and can therefore be a useful factor, including for consideration in the context of the market investigations foreseen by this Regulation, as well as trigger behavioural or structural remedies on gatekeepers to restore contestability and fairness on digital markets.
Amendment 140 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 32
Recital 32
(32) To safeguard the fairness and contestability of core platform services provided by gatekeepers, it is necessary to provide in a clear and unambiguous manner for a set of harmonised obligations with regard to those services. Such rules are needed to address the risk of harmful effects of unfair practices imposed by gatekeepers, to the benefit of the business environment in the services concerned, to the benefit of users and ultimately to the benefit of society as a whole. Given the fast-moving and dynamic nature of digital markets, and the substantial economic power of gatekeepers, it is important that these obligations are effectively applied without being circumvented. To that end, the obligations in question should apply to any practices by a gatekeeper, irrespective of its form and irrespective of whether it is of a contractual, commercial, technical or any other nature, including through product design, structure, function or manner of operation capable of influencing user’s choice or autonomy, or through agreements with third party business partners of the gatekeepers insofar as a practice corresponds to the type of practice that is the subject of one of the obligations of this Regulation.
Amendment 145 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 34 a (new)
Recital 34 a (new)
(34 a) The network effect is one of the factors that accelerated very large online platforms growth, increasing the value of their services to its users and the user base. When combined with the increased level of integration that technology has in most people's lives, this has a chilling effect on the choice that consumers have. Data portability requirements are a first step in re-establishing the freedom of choice, but in some particular cases more measures are needed. Looking at how communication markets evolved over time and the changes in communication habits, it can be concluded that some services offered by online platforms are replacing services like voice and SMS communications, services that come with interconnection, portability and interoperability requirements. Due to its social importance, access to internet was recently included in the Universal Service obligations, and as a particular case of services, number independent interpersonal communication services are subject to potential remedies by National Regulatory Agencies according to Article 61 (2)(c) of the Directive 2018/1792, the European Electronic Communication Code. As this regulation applies in the particular case of gatekeepers, meaning entities that have been already assessed as having a significant impact on the internal market and endangering end-to- end connectivity, this Regulation builds up on the EECC provisions and introduces a interoperability requirement for gatekeepers services that are social media or number independent interpersonal communication services.
Amendment 149 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 36
Recital 36
(36) The conduct of combining end user data from different sources or signing in users to different services of gatekeepers gives them potential advantages in terms of accumulation of data, thereby raising barriers to entry. To ensure that gatekeepers do not unfairly undermine the contestability of core platform services, they should enable their end usIndividual consent, expressed in accordance with GDPR is always needed in order to combine personal data across services. Article 5(a) of this Regulation should not be unders to freely choose to opt-od as suggesting to such business practices by offering a less personalised alternative. The possibility should cover all possible sources of personal data, including own services of the gatekeeper as well as third party websites, and should be proactively presented to the end user in an explicit, clear and straightforward mannerhat platforms that are not designated as gatekeepers can act without the individual’s consent. It needs to be recalled that consent is not the only necessary requirement for data processing, and data limitation should guide the collection and use of data in all online activities.
Amendment 151 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) Articles 101 and 102 TFEU and the corresponding national competition rules concerning anticompetitive multilateral and unilateral conduct as well as merger control have as their objective the protection of undistorted competition on the market. This Regulation pursues an objective that is complementary to, but different from that of protecting undistorted competition on any given market, as defined in competition-law terms, which is to ensure that markets where gatekeepers are present are and remain contestable and fair, independently from the actual, likely or presumed effects of the conduct of a given gatekeeper covered by this Regulation on competition on a given market. This Regulation therefore aims at protecting a different legal interest from those rules and should be without prejudice tocomplement their application.
Amendment 151 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 37
Recital 37
(37) Because of their position, gatekeepers might in certain cases restrict the ability of business users of their online intermediation services to offer their goods or services to end users under more favourable conditions, including price, through other online intermediation services or through direct business channels. Such restrictions have a significant deterrent effect on the business users of gatekeepers in terms of their use of alternative online intermediation services or direct distribution channels, limiting inter-platform contestability, which in turn limits choice of alternative online intermediation channels for end users. To ensure that business users of online intermediation services of gatekeepers can freely choose alternative online intermediation services or other direct distribution channels and differentiate the conditions under which they offer their products or services to their end users, it should not be accepted that gatekeepers limit business users from choosing to differentiate commercial conditions, including price. Such a restriction should apply to any measure with equivalent effect, such as for example increased commission rates or, de-listing of the offers or less favourable display of business users in the ranking.
Amendment 152 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) This Regulation should also complement, without prejudice to their application, the rules resulting from other acts of Union law regulating certain aspects of the provision of services covered by this Regulation, in particular Regulation (EU) 2019/1150 of the European Parliament and of the Council26 , Regulation (EU) xx/xx/EU [DSA] of the European Parliament and of the Council27 , Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council28 , Directive (EU) 2019/790 of the European Parliament and of the Council29 and Directive 2002/58/EC29a, Directive (EU) 2015/2366 of the European Parliament and of the Council30 , Directive (EU) 2019/88230a, Directive(EU) 2018/180830b, and Directive (EU) 2010/13 of the European Parliament and of the Council31 , as well as national rules aimed at enforcing or, as the case may be, implementing that Union legislation. _________________ 26 Regulation (EU) 2019/1150 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on promoting fairness and transparency for business users of online intermediation services (OJ L 186, 11.7.2019, p. 57). 27Regulation (EU) …/.. of the European Parliament and of the Council – proposal on a Single Market For Digital Services (Digital Services Act) and amending Directive 2000/31/EC. 28Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation) (OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 1). 29 Directive (EU) 2019/790 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on copyright and related rights in the Digital Single Market and amending Directives 96/9/EC and 2001/29/ (OJ L 130, 17.5.2019, p. 92.). 29aDirective 2002/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 2002 concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector (Directive on privacy and electronic communications) 30Directive (EU) 2015/2366 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2015 on payment services in the internal market, amending Directives 2002/65/EC, 2009/110/EC and 2013/36/EU and Regulation (EU) No 1093/2010, and repealing Directive 2007/64/EC ( OJ L 337, 23.12.2015, p. 35). 30aDirective (EU) 2019/882 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on the accessibility requirements for products and services (Text with EEA relevance) 30bDirective (EU) 2018/1808 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 November 2018 amending Directive 2010/13/EU on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the provision of audiovisual media services (Audiovisual Media Services Directive) in view of changing market realities 31Directive 2010/13/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 March 2010 on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the provision of audiovisual media services (Audiovisual Media Services Directive) (OJ L 95, 15.4.2010, p. 1).
Amendment 156 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) Weak contestability and unfair practices in the digital sector are more frequent and pronounced for certain digital services than for others. This is the case in particular for widespread and commonly used digital services that mostly directly intermediate between business users and end users and where features such as extreme scale economies, very strong network effects, an ability to connect many business users with many end users through the multi-sidedness of these services, lock-in effects, a lack of multi- homing or vertical integration are the most prevalent. Often, there is only one or very few large providers of those digital services. These providers of core platform services have emerged most frequently as gatekeepers for business users and end users with far-reaching impacts, gaining the ability to easily set commercial conditions and terms in a unilateral and detrimental manner for their business users and end users. Accordingly, it is necessary to focus on ally onf those digital services that are most broadly used by business users and end users and where, based on current market conditions, concerns about weak contestability and unfair practices by gatekeepers are more apparent and pressing from an internal market perspective.
Amendment 160 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) In particular, online intermediation services, online search engines, operating systems, online social networking, video sharing platform services, number- independent interpersonal communication services, cloud computing services and online advertising services all have the capacity to affect a large number of end users and businesses alike, which entails a risk of unfair business practice, including business-to-business clouds, online advertising services, embedded digital services in vehicles, browsers, virtual assistant, connected tv and collaborative economy services all have the capacity to affect a large number of end users and businesses alike, which entails a risk of unfair business practices. Collaborative economy services, especially short term rental and online hotel reservation services are present in a market characterised by a high level of concentration. Due to their position on the market and their capacity to connect end users and business users they have substantial influence on the strategy and price setting of their business users. They therefore should be included in the definition of core platform services and fall into the scope of this Regulation. Online intermediation services may also be active in the field of financial services, and they may intermediate or be used to provide such services as listed non-exhaustively in Annex II to Directive (EU) 2015/1535 of the European Parliament and of the Council32 . In certain circumstances, the notion of end users should encompass users that are traditionally considered business users, but in a given situation do not use the core platform services to provide goods or services to other end users, such as for example businesses relying on cloud computing services for their own purposes. _________________ 32Directive (EU) 2015/1535 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 September 2015 laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical regulations and of rules on Information Society services, OJ L 241, 17.9.2015, p. 1.
Amendment 164 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13 a (new)
Recital 13 a (new)
(13 a) In certain circumstances, the notion of end users should encompass users that are traditionally considered business users, but in a given situation do not use the core platform services to sell goods or services to other end users, such as for example businesses relying on cloud computing services for their own purposes.
Amendment 165 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 41
Recital 41
(41) Gatekeepers should not restrict the free choice of end users by technically preventing switching between or subscription to different software applications and services. Gatekeepers should therefore ensure a free choice irrespective of whether they are the manufacturer of any hardware by means of which such software applications or services are accessed and should not raise artificial technical barriers so as to make switching impossible or ineffective. The mere offering of a given productcommercial terms, including pricing, for the provision orf services to end users, includinga business user or end user should not bye means of pre-installation, as well the improvement of end user offering, such as better prices or increased quality, would not in itself constitute a barrier to switchingade dependent upon whether or to what degree business user or end user uses other applications or services from the same provider, or a related entity.
Amendment 168 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) The fact that a digital service qualifies as a core platform service in light of its widespread and common use and its importance for connecting business users and end users does not as such give rise to sufficiently serious concerns of contestability and unfair practices. It is only when a core platform service constitutes an important gateway and is operated by a provider with a significant impact in the internal market and an entrenched and durable position, or by a provider that will foreseeably have such a position in the near future, subject to a market investigation or to an assessment by the Commission based on a notification submitted in line with article 12, that such concerns arise. Accordingly, the targeted set of harmonised rules laid down in this Regulation should apply only to undertakings designated on the basis of these three objective criteria, and they should only apply to those of their core platform services that individually constitute an important gateway for business users to reach end users.
Amendment 168 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 42
Recital 42
(42) The conditions under which gatekeepers provide online advertising services to business users including both advertisers and publishers are often non- transparent and opaque. This opacity is partly linked to the practices of a few platforms, but is also due to the sheer complexity of modern day programmatic advertising. The sector is considered to have become more non-transparent after the introduction of new privacy legislation, and is expected to become even more opaque with the announced removal of third-party cookies. This often leads to a lack of information and knowledge for advertisers and publishers about the conditions of the advertising services they purchased and undermines their ability to switch to alternative providers of online advertising services. Furthermore, the costs of online advertising are likely to be higher than they would be in a fairer, more transparent and contestable platform environment. These higher costs are likely to be reflected in the prices that end users pay for many daily products and services relying on the use of online advertising. Transparency obligations should therefore require gatekeepers to provide advertisers and publishers to whom they supply online advertising services, when requested and to the extent possible, with information that allows both sides to understand the price paid for each of the different advertising services provided as part of the relevant advertising value chain.
Amendment 177 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 47
Recital 47
Amendment 182 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 48
Recital 48
(48) Gatekeepers are often vertically integrated and offer certain products or services to end users through their own core platform services, or through a business user over which they exercise control which frequently leads to conflicts of interest. This can include the situation whereby a gatekeeper offers its own online intermediation services through an online search engine. When offering those products or services on the core platform service, gatekeepers can reserve a better position to their own offering, in terms of ranking, as opposed to the products of third parties also operating on that core platform service. This can occur for instance with products or services, including other core platform services, which are ranked in the results communicated by online search engines, or which are partly or entirely embedded in online search engines results, groups of results specialised in a certain topic, displayed along with the results of an online search engine, which are considered or used by certain end users as a service distinct or additional to the online search engine. Other instances are those of software applications which are distributed through software application stores, or products or services that are given prominence and display in the newsfeed of a social network, or products or services ranked in search results or displayed on an online marketplace or in results provided to a search through virtual assistants. In those circumstances, the gatekeeper is in a dual- role position as intermediary for third party providers and as direct provider of products or services of the gatekeeper. Consequently, these gatekeepers have the ability to undermine directly the contestability for those products or services on these core platform services, to the detriment of business users which are not controlled by the gatekeeper.
Amendment 183 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) Such thresholds can be impacted by market and technical developments. The Commission should therefore be empowered to adopt delegated acts to specify the methodology for determining whether the quantitative thresholds are met, and to regularly adjust ithis methodology to market and technological developments where necessary. This is particularly relevant in relation to the threshold referring to market capitalisation, which should be indexed in appropriate intervals.
Amendment 185 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
Recital 23
(23) Providers of core platform services which meet the quantitative thresholds but are able to present sufficiently substantiated arguments to demonstrate that, in the circumstances in which the relevant core platform service operates, they do not fulfil the objective requirements for a gatekeeper, should not be designated directly, but only subject to a further investigation. The burden of adducing evidence that the presumption deriving from the fulfilment of quantitative thresholds should not apply to a specific provider should be bbe subject to an assessment by the Commission whether they qualify or not as a gatekeeper in light of the argument presented. This assessment should be done within specific time-limits and not lead to undue delay in designating the provider of a corne by that providplatform service as a gatekeeper. In its assessment, the Commission should take into account only the elements which directly relate to the requirements for constituting a gatekeeper, namely whether it is an important gateway which is operated by a provider with a significant impact in the internal market with an entrenched and durable position, either actual or foreseeable. Any justification on economic grounds seeking to demonstrate efficiencies deriving from a specific type of behaviour by the provider of core platform services should be discarded, as it is not relevant to the designation as a gatekeeper. The Commission should be able to take a decision by relying on the quantitative thresholds where the provider significantly obstructs the investigation by failing to comply with the investigative measures taken by the Commission.
Amendment 187 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 50
Recital 50
(50) Gatekeepers should not restrict or prevent the free choice of end users by technically preventing switching between or subscription to different software applications and services. This would allow more providers to offer their services, thereby ultimately providing greater choice to the end user. Gatekeepers should ensure a free choice irrespective of whether they are the manufacturer of any hardware by means of which such software applications or services are accessed and shall not raise artificial technical barriers so as to make switching impossible or ineffective. The mere offering of a given product or service to consumers, including by means of pre-installation, as well as the improvement of the offering to end users, such as price reductions or increased quality, should not be construed as constituting a prohibited barrier to switchingconstitutes a barrier to switching and needs to be taken into account in the process of applying remedies.
Amendment 190 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26
Recital 26
(26) A particular subset of rules should apply to those providers of core platform services that are foreseen to enjoy an entrenched and durable position in the near future, for instance because the Commission has been notified of an intended concentration in line with Article 12(1) and assessed its impact on the contestability of digital markets. The same specific features of core platform services make them prone to tipping: once a service provider has obtained a certain advantage over rivals or potential challengers in terms of scale or intermediation power, its position may become unassailable and the situation may evolve to the point that it is likely to become durable and entrenched in the near future. Undertakings can try to induce this tipping and emerge as gatekeeper by using some of the unfair conditions and practices regulated in this Regulation. In such a situation, it appears appropriate to intervene before the market tips irreversibly.
Amendment 191 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 52
Recital 52
(52) Gatekeepers may also have a dual role as developers of operating systems and device manufacturers, including any technical functionality that such a device may have. For example, a gatekeeper that is a manufacturer of a device may restrict access to some of the functionalities in this device, such as near-field-communication technology and the software used to operate that technology, which may be required for the effective provision of an ancillary service by the gatekeeper as well as by any potential third party provider of such an ancillary service. Such access may equally be required by software applications related to the relevant ancillary services in order to effectively provide similar functionalities as those offered by gatekeepers. If such a dual role is used in a manner that prevents alternative providers of ancillary services or of software applications to have access under equal conditions to the same operating system, hardware or software features that are available or used in the provision by the gatekeeper of any ancillary services, this could significantly undermine innovation by providers of such ancillary services as well as choice for end users of such ancillary services. The gatekeepers should therefore be obliged to ensure access under equal conditions to, and interoperability with, the same operating system, hardware or software features that are available or used in the provision of any ancillaryits services by the gatekeeper.
Amendment 196 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 31
Recital 31
(31) To ensure the effectiveness of the review of gatekeeper status as well as the possibility to adjust the list of core platform services provided by a gatekeeper, the gatekeepers should inform the Commission of all of their intended and concluded acquisitions of other providers of core platform services or any other services provided within the digital sector. Such information should not only serve the review process mentioned above, regarding the status of individual gatekeepers, but will also provide information that is crucial to monitoring broader contestability trends in the digital sector and can therefore be a useful factor, including for consideration in the context of the market investigations foreseen by this Regulation, as well as trigger behavioural or structural remedies on gatekeepers to restore contestability and fairness on digital markets.
Amendment 200 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 32
Recital 32
(32) To safeguard the fairness and contestability of core platform services provided by gatekeepers, it is necessary to provide in a clear and unambiguous manner for a set of harmonised obligations with regard to those services. Such rules are needed to address the risk of harmful effects of unfair practices imposed by gatekeepers, to the benefit of the business environment in the services concerned, to the benefit of users and ultimately to the benefit of society as a whole. Given the fast-moving and dynamic nature of digital markets, and the substantial economic power of gatekeepers, it is important that these obligations are effectively applied without being circumvented. To that end, the obligations in question should apply to any practices by a gatekeeper, irrespective of its form and irrespective of whether it is of a contractual, commercial, technical or any other nature, including through product design, structure, function or manner of operation capable of influencing user’s choice or autonomy, or through agreements with third party business partners of the gatekeepers insofar as a practice corresponds to the type of practice that is the subject of one of the obligations of this Regulation.
Amendment 200 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 55
Recital 55
(55) Business users that use large core platform services provided by gatekeepers and end users of such business users provide and generate a vast amount of data, including data inferred from such use. In order to ensure that business users have access to the relevant data thus generated, the gatekeeper should, upon their request, allow unhindered access, free of charge, to suchaggregated and non-aggregated non- personal data. Such access should also be given to third parties contracted by the business user, who are acting as processors of this data for the business user. Data provided or generated by the same business users and the same end users of these business users in the context of other services provided by the same gatekeeper may be concerned where this is inextricably linked to the relevant request. To this end, a gatekeeper should not use any contractual or other restrictions to prevent business users from accessing relevant data and should enable business users to obtain consent of their end users for such data access and retrieval, where such consent is required under Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and Directive 2002/58/EC. Gatekeepers should also facilitate access to these data in real time by means of appropriate technical measures, such as for example putting in place high quality application programming interfaces.
Amendment 205 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 56
Recital 56
(56) The value of online search engines to their respective business users and end users increases as the total number of such users increases. Providers of online search engines collect and store aggregated datasets containing information about what users searched for, and how they interacted with, the results that they were served. Providers of online search engine services collect these data from searches undertaken on their own online search engine service and, where applicable, searches undertaken on the platforms of their downstream commercial partners. Access by gatekeepers to such ranking, query, click and view data constitutes an important barrier to entry and expansion, which undermines the contestability of online search engine services. Gatekeepers should therefore be obliged to provide access, on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms, to these ranking, query, click and view data in relation to free and paid search generated by consumers on online search engine services to other providers of such services, so that these third-party providers can optimise their services and contest the relevant core platform services provided that the gatekeeper is able to demonstrate that anonymised query, click and view data have been adequately tested against possible re-identification risks. Such access should also be given to third parties contracted by a search engine provider, who are acting as processors of this data for that search engine. When providing access to its search data, a gatekeeper should ensure the protection of the personal data of end users by appropriate means, without substantially degrading the quality or usefulness of the data.
Amendment 206 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 34 a (new)
Recital 34 a (new)
(34 a) The network effect is one of the factors that accelerated very large online platforms growth, increasing the value of their services to its users and the user base. When combined with the increased level of integration that technology has in most people's lives, this effect has a chilling effect on the choice that consumers have. Data portability requirements are a first step in re- establishing the freedom of choice but in some particular cases more measures are needed. Looking how communication markets evolved over time and the changes in communication habits, it can be concluded that some services offered by online platforms are replacing services like voice and SMS communications, services that come with interconnection and interoperability requirements. Due to its social importance, access to internet was recently included in the Universal Service obligations, and as a particular case of services, number independent interpersonal communication services are subject to potential remedies by National Regulatory Agencies according to Article 61 (2) c) of the Directive2018/1792, the European Electronic Communication Code (EECC). As this regulation applies in the particular case of gatekeepers meaning entities that have been already assessed as having a significant impact on the internal market and end-to-end connectivity is endangered, it should be compulsory to build up on the EECC provisions and introduce a interoperability requirement for gatekeepers services that are social media or number independent interpersonal communication services.
Amendment 206 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 57
Recital 57
(57) In particular gatekeepers which provide access to software application stores, online search engine and online social networking service serve as an important gateway for business users that seek to reach end users. In view of the imbalance in bargaining power between those gatekeepers and business users of their software application stores which can result in an adverse effect on end users' right to receive and impart information and ideas, and ultimately affect media pluralism, diversity of opinion as well as competition. In view of the imbalance in bargaining power between those gatekeepers and business users of their software application stores, especially those that are SMEs on a given sectorial market, such as small press publishers, particularly when accessing online search engine and online social networks, on the other hand, those gatekeepers should not be allowed to impose general conditions, including pricing conditions, data usage conditions or conditions related to the licensing of rights held by the business user that would be unfair or lead to unjustified differentiation. Pricing or other general access conditions should be considered unfair if they lead to an imbalance of rights and obligations imposed on business users or confer an advantage on the gatekeeper which is disproportionate to the service provided by the gatekeeper to business users or lead to a disadvantage for business users in providing the same or similar services as the gatekeeper. The following benchmarks can serve as a yard stick to determine the fairness of general access conditions: prices charged or conditions imposed for the same or similar services by other providers of software application stores; prices charged or conditions imposed by the provider of the software application store for different related or similar services or to different types of end users; prices charged or conditions imposed by the provider of the software application store for the same service in different geographic regions; prices charged or conditions imposed by the provider of the software application store for the same service the gatekeeper offers to itself. Determining the fairness of general access conditions should lead to the opportunity to make the revenue stream of digital content providers, such as press publishers being in a dominant position on their market, more transparent, notably in terms of revenues deriving from advertisement, and in terms of distribution of appropriate shares of revenues to the authors of works incorporated in press publications. This obligation should not establish an access right and it should be without prejudice to the ability of providers of software application stores to take the required responsibility in the fight against illegal and unwanted content as set out in Regulation [Digital Services Act]. It should also be without prejudice to the ability of business that are SMEs on a given sectorial market, such as small press publishers, to offer royalty-free licenses in order to ensure access to their content, visibility on online search engines and online social networking services, and it should be without prejudice to the ability of end-users to perform acts of hyperlinking in according to Article 15(1) of Directive (EU)2019/790.
Amendment 209 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 36
Recital 36
(36) The conduct of combining end user data from different sources or signing in users to different services of gatekeepers gives them potential advantages in terms of accumulation of data, thereby raising barriers to entry. To ensure that gatekeepers do not unfairly undermine the contestability of core platform services, they should enable their end users to freely choose to opt-in to such business practices by offering a less personalised alternative. The possibility should cover all possible sources of personal data, including own services of the gatekeeper as well as third party websites, and should be proactively presented to the end user in an explicit, clear and straightforward manner.
Amendment 213 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 58
Recital 58
(58) To ensure the effectiveness of the obligations laid down by this Regulation, while also making certain that these obligations are limited to what is necessary to ensure contestability and tackling the harmful effects of the unfair behaviour by gatekeepers, it is important to clearly define and circumscribe them so as to allow the gatekeeper to immediately comply with them, in full respect of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and Directive 2002/58/EC, consumer protection, cyber security and product safety. The gatekeepers should ensure the compliance with this Regulation by design. The necessary measures should therefore be as much as possible and where relevant integrated into the technological design used by the gatekeepers. However, it may in certain cases be appropriate for the Commission, following a dialogue, within legally binding deadlines, with the gatekeeper concerned, to further specify some of the measures that the gatekeeper concerned should adopt in order to effectively comply with those obligations that are susceptible of being further specified. This possibility of a regulatory dialogue should facilitate compliance by gatekeepers and expedite the correct implementation of the Regulation.
Amendment 214 #
(36 a) Individual consent, expressed in accordance with Regulation (EU)2016/679 is always needed in order to combine personal data across services. Article 5(a) of this Regulation should not be understood as suggesting that platforms that are not designated as gatekeepers may act without the individual’s consent. It needs to be recalled that consent is not the only necessary requirement for data processing, and data limitation should guide the collection and use of data in all online activities.
Amendment 214 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 58 a (new)
Recital 58 a (new)
(58 a) The Commission should also be able to swiftly adopt decisions in case of non-compliance of a gatekeeper with the obligations laid down in this Regulation. In taking such decisions, the Commission should be allowed to specify the measures that would be needed to ensure full compliance with this Regulation and restore the contestability of digital markets when it has been undermined.
Amendment 215 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 37
Recital 37
(37) Because of their position, gatekeepers might in certain cases restrict the ability of business users of their online intermediation services to offer their goods or services to end users under more favourable conditions, including price, through other online intermediation services or through direct business channels. Such restrictions have a significant deterrent effect on the business users of gatekeepers in terms of their use of alternative online intermediation services or direct distribution channels , limiting inter-platform contestability, which in turn limits choice of alternative online intermediation channels for end users. To ensure that business users of online intermediation services of gatekeepers can freely choose alternative online intermediation services or other direct distribution channels and differentiate the conditions under which they offer their products or services to their end users, it should not be accepted that gatekeepers limit business users from choosing to differentiate commercial conditions, including price. Such a restriction should apply to any measure with equivalent effect, such as for example increased commission rates or, de-listing of the offers or less favourable display of business users in the ranking.
Amendment 216 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 59
Recital 59
(59) As an additional element to ensure proportionality, gatekeepers should be given an opportunity to request the temporary suspension, to the extent necessary, of a specific obligation in exceptional circumstances that lie beyond the control of the gatekeeper, such as for example an unforeseen external shock that has temporarily eliminated a significant part of end user demand for the relevant core platform service, where compliance with a specific obligation is shown by the gatekeeper to endanger the economic viability of the Union operations of the gatekeeper concerned. The Commission should state in its decision the reasons for granting the suspension and review it on a regular basis to assess if the conditions for granting it are still viable or not.
Amendment 220 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 61
Recital 61
(61) The data protection and privacy interests of end users are relevant to any assessment of potential negative effects of the observed practice of gatekeepers to collect and accumulate large amounts of data from end users. Ensuring an adequate level of transparency of profiling practices employed by gatekeepers facilitates contestability of core platform services, by putting external pressure on gatekeepers to prevent making deep consumer profiling the industry standard, given that potential entrants or start-up providers cannot access data to the same extent and depth, and at a similar scale. Enhanced transparency should allow other providers of core platform services to differentiate themselves better through the use of superior privacy guaranteeing facilities. To ensure a minimum level of effectiveness of this transparency obligation, gatekeepers should at least provide a description of the basis upon which profiling is performed, including whether personal data and data derived from user activity is relied on, the processing applied, the purpose for which the profile is prepared and eventually used, the impact of such profiling on the gatekeeper’s services, and the steps taken to enable end users to be aware of the relevant use of such profiling, as well as to seek their consent. The Commission should develop, in consultation with the EU Data Protection Supervisor, the European Data Protection Board, civil society and experts, the standards and process of the audit. The audited description, as well as any relevant materials that is collected in the context of supervising the gatekeepers that relate to the processing of personal data, should be shared by the Commission with any competent supervisory authority represented in the European Data Protection Board, upon its request.
Amendment 229 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 64
Recital 64
(64) The Commission should investigate and assess whether additional behavioural, or, where appropriate, structural remedies are justified, in order to ensure that the gatekeeper cannot frustrate the objectives of this Regulation by systematic non- compliance with one or several of the obligations laid down in this Regulation, which has further strengthened its gatekeeper position. This would be the case. In imposing these remedies, the Commission should take into consideration if the gatekeeper’s size in the internal market has further increased, economic dependency of business users and end users on the gatekeeper’s core platform services has further strengthened as their number has further increased and the gatekeeper benefits from increased entrenchment of its position. The Commission should therefore in such cases have the power to impose any remedy, whether behavioural or structural, having due regard to the principle of proportionality. Structural remedies, such as legal, functional or structural separation, including the divestiture of a business, or parts of it, should only be imposed either where there is no equally effective behavioural remedy or where any equally effective behavioural remedy would be more burdensome for the undertaking concerned than the structural remedy. Changes to the structure of an undertaking as it existed before the systematic non- compliance was established would only be proportionate where there is a substantial risk that this systematic non-compliance results from the very structure of the undertaking concerned.
Amendment 231 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 39
Recital 39
(39) To safeguard a fair commercial environment and protect the contestability of the digital sector it is important to safeguard the right of business users to raise concerns about unfair behaviour by gatekeepers with any relevant administrative or other public authorities. For example, business users may want to complain about different types of unfair practices, such as discriminatory access conditions, unjustified closing of business user accounts or unclear grounds for product de-listings. Any practice that would in any way inhibit such a possibility of raising concerns or seeking available redress, for instance by means of confidentiality clauses in agreements or other written terms, should therefore be prohibited. This should be without prejudice to the right of business users and gatekeepers to lay down in their agreements the terms of use including the use of lawful complaints-handling mechanisms, including any use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms or of the jurisdiction of specific courts in compliance with respective Union and national law. This should therefore also be without prejudice to the role gatekeepers play in the fight against illegal content online.
Amendment 236 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 68
Recital 68
(68) In order to ensure effective implementation and compliance with this Regulation, the Commission should have strong investigative and enforcement powers, to allow it to investigate, enforce and monitor the rules laid down in this Regulation, while at the same time ensuring the respect for the fundamental right to be heard and to have access to the file in the context of the enforcement proceedings. The Commission should dispose of these investigative powers also for the purpose of carrying out market investigations for the purpose of updating and reviewing this Regulation. National competent authorities should assist the Commission in monitoring and enforcing obligations laid down in this Regulation by providing support and expertise to the Commission or by requesting the Commission to open a market investigation based on evidence collected.
Amendment 237 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 68 a (new)
Recital 68 a (new)
Amendment 240 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 41
Recital 41
(41) Gatekeepers should not restrict the free choice of end users by technically preventing switching between or subscription to different software applications and services. Gatekeepers should therefore ensure a free choice irrespective of whether they are the manufacturer of any hardware by means of which such software applications or services are accessed and should not raise artificial technical barriers so as to make switching impossible or ineffective. The mere offering of a given product or service to end users, including by means of pre-installation, as well the improvement of end user offering, such as better prices or increased quality, would not in itself constitute a barrier to switching.
Amendment 241 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 72
Recital 72
(72) The Commission should be able to take the necessary actions to monitor the effective implementation and compliance with the obligations laid down in this Regulation. Such actions should include the ability of the Commission to appoint independent external experts, such as and auditors to assist the Commission in this process, including where applicable from competent independent authorities, such as data or consumer protection authorities. The Commission should be adequately staffed to ensure the successful implementation and effective enforcement of this Regulation.
Amendment 244 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 75
Recital 75
(75) In the context of proceedings carried out under this Regulation, the undertakings concerned should be accorded the right to be heard by the Commission and the decisions taken should be widely publicised. Natural or legal persons demonstrating sufficient interest should also have the right to be heard. Parties that are directly affected by the obligations under Articles 5 and 6, but also organisations representing consumers interests where the proceedings concern products or services provided to end-users, should be considered to have sufficient interest. While ensuring the rights to good administration and the rights of defence of the undertakings concerned, in particular, the right of access to the file and the right to be heard, it is essential that confidential information be protected. Furthermore, while respecting the confidentiality of the information, the Commission should ensure that any information relied on for the purpose of the decision is disclosed to an extent that allows the addressee of the decision to understand the facts and considerations that led up to the decision. Finally, under certain conditions certain business records, such as communication between lawyers and their clients, may be considered confidential if the relevant conditions are met.
Amendment 245 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 42
Recital 42
(42) The conditions under which gatekeepers provide online advertising services based on contextual information to business users including both advertisers and publishers are often non- transparent and opaque. This opacity is partly linked to the practices of a few platforms, but is also due to the sheer complexity of modern day programmatic advertising. The sector is considered to have become more non-transparent after the introduction of new privacy legislation, and is expected to become even more opaque with the announced removal of third-party cookies. This often leads to a lack of information and knowledge for advertisers and publishers about the conditions of the advertising services they purchased and undermines their ability to switch to alternative providers of online advertising services. Furthermore, the costs of online advertising are likely to be higher than they would be in a fairer, more transparent and contestable platform environment. These higher costs are likely to be reflected in the prices that end users pay for many daily products and services relying on the use of online advertising. Transparency obligations should therefore require gatekeepers to provide advertisers and publishers to whom they supply online advertising services based on contextual information, when requested and to the extent possible, with information that allows both sides to understand the price paid for each of the different advertising services provided as part of the relevant advertising value chain.
Amendment 251 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 77
Recital 77
(77) The advisory committee established in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182//2011 should also deliver opinions on certain individual decisions of the Commission issued under this Regulation. In order to ensure contestable and fair markets in the digital sector across the Union where gatekeepers are present, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty should be delegated to the Commission to supplement this Regulation. In particular, delegated acts should be adopted in respect of the methodology for determining the quantitative thresholds for designation of gatekeepers under this Regulation and in respect of the update of the obligations laid down in this Regulation where, based on a market investigation the Commission has identified the need for updating the obligations addressing practices that limit the contestability of core platform services or are unfair. It is of particular importance that the Commission carries out appropriate consultations, including with interested third-parties, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making of 13 April 201636 . In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council receive all documents at the same time as Member States' experts, and their experts systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts. _________________ 36Interinstitutional Agreement between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission on Better Law-Making (OJ L 123, 12.5.2016, p.1).
Amendment 259 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 47
Recital 47
(47) The rules that the gatekeepers set for the distribution of software applications may in certain circumstances restrict the ability of end users to install and effectively use third party software applications or, software application stores or repositories on operating systems or hardware of the relevant gatekeeper and restrict the ability of end users to access these software applications or, software application stores or repositories outside the core platform services of that gatekeeper. Such restrictions may limit the ability of developers of software applications to use alternative distribution channels and the ability of end users to choose between different software applications from different distribution channels and should be prohibited as unfair and liable to weaken the contestability of core platform services. In order to ensure that third party software applications or software application stores do not endanger the integrity of the hardware or operating system provided by the gatekeeper the gatekeeper concerned may implement proportionate technical or contractual measures to achieve that goal if the gatekeeper demonstrates that such measures are necessary and justified and that there are no less restrictive means to safeguard the integrity of the hardware or operating system.
Amendment 259 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. This Regulation lays down harmonised rules ensuring contestable and fair markets in the digital sector across the Union where gatekeepers are present so as to contribute to the protection of fundamental rights and the integrity of democratic processes, as well as to foster innovation, increase consumer choice and ensure higher consumer protection standards.
Amendment 263 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2
2. This Regulation shall apply to core platform commercial services provided or offered by gatekeepers to business users established in the Union or end users established or located in the Union, irrespective of the place of establishment or residence of the gatekeepers and irrespective of the law otherwise applicable to the provision of service. This Regulation shall apply and be interpreted in full respect of fundamental rights and the principles recognised by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, in particular Articles 11, 16, 47 and 50 thereof.
Amendment 268 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 4
Article 1 – paragraph 4
4. With regard to interpersonal communication services this Regulation isbuilds on Article 61 of Directive (EU) 2018/1972 and establishes additional Union level obligations for gatekeepers, without prejudice to the powers and tasks granted to the national regulatory and other competent authorities by virtue of that Article 61 of Directive (EU) 2018/1972.
Amendment 269 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 48
Recital 48
(48) Gatekeepers are often vertically integrated and offer certain products or services to end users through their own core platform services, or through a business user over which they exercise control which frequently leads to conflicts of interest. This can include the situation whereby a gatekeeper offers its own online intermediation services through an online search engine. When offering those products or services on the core platform service, gatekeepers can reserve a better position to their own offering, in terms of ranking, as opposed to the products of third parties also operating on that core platform service. This can occur for instance with products or services, including other core platform services, which are ranked in the results communicated by online search engines, or which are partly or entirely embedded in online search engines results, groups of results specialised in a certain topic, displayed along with the results of an online search engine, which are considered or used by certain end users as a service distinct or additional to the online search engine. Other instances are those of software applications which are distributed through software application stores, or products or services that are given prominence and display in the newsfeed of a social network, or products or services ranked in search results or displayed on an online marketplace or in results provided to a search through virtual assistants. In those circumstances, the gatekeeper is in a dual- role position as intermediary for third party providers and as direct provider of products or services of the gatekeeper. Consequently, these gatekeepers have the ability to undermine directly the contestability for those products or services on these core platform services, to the detriment of business users which are not controlled by the gatekeeper.
Amendment 275 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 6
Article 1 – paragraph 6
Amendment 281 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 50
Recital 50
(50) Gatekeepers should not restrict or prevent the free choice of end users by technically preventing switching between or subscription to different software applications and services. This would allow more providers to offer their services, thereby ultimately providing greater choice to the end user. Gatekeepers should ensure a free choice irrespective of whether they are the manufacturer of any hardware by means of which such software applications or services are accessed and shall not raise artificial technical barriers so as to make switching impossible or ineffective. The mere offering of a given product or service to consumers, including by means of pre-installation, as well as the improvement of the offering to end users, such as price reductions or increased quality, should not be construed as constituting a prohibited barrier to switching.
Amendment 288 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point g
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point g
(g) cloud computing services; including business to business cloud;
Amendment 291 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point h a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point h a (new)
(h a) embedded digital services in vehicles;
Amendment 292 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 52
Recital 52
(52) Gatekeepers may also have a dual role as developers of operating systems and device manufacturers, including any technical functionality that such a device may have. For example, a gatekeeper that is a manufacturer of a device may also restrict access to some of the functionalities in this device, such as near- field-communication technology and the software used to operate that technology, which may be required for the effective provision of an ancillary service by the gatekeeper as well as by any potential third party provider of such an ancillary service. Such access may equally be required by software applications related to the relevant ancillary services in order to effectively provide similar functionalities as those offered by gatekeepers. If such a dual role is used in a manner thatrestrictive measure is used to prevents alternative providers of ancillary services or of any software applications to have access under equal conditions to the same operating system, hardware or software features that are available or used in the provision by the gatekeeper of any ancillary services, this could significantly undermine innovation by providers of such ancillary services as well as choice for end users of such ancillary services. The gatekeepers should therefore be obliged to ensure access under equal conditions to, and interoperability with, the same operating system, hardware or software features that are available or used in the provision of any ancillaryof its services by the gatekeeper.
Amendment 295 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 53
Recital 53
(53) The conditions under which gatekeepers provide online advertising services based on contextual information to business users including both advertisers and publishers are often non- transparent and opaque. This often leads to a lack of information for advertisers and publishers about the effect of a given ad. To further enhance fairness, transparency and contestability of online advertising services designated under this Regulation as well as those that are fully integrated with other core platform services of the same provider, the designated gatekeepers should therefore provide advertisers and publishers, when requested, with free of charge access to the performance measuring tools of the gatekeeper for the purpose of digital advertising based on contextual information and the information necessary for advertisers, advertising agencies acting on behalf of a company placing advertising, as well as for publishers to carry out their own independent verification of the provision of the relevant online advertising services.
Amendment 298 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 55
Recital 55
(55) Business users that use large core platform services provided by gatekeepers and end users of such business users provide and generate a vast amount of data, including data inferred from such use. In order to ensure that business users have access to the relevant data thus generated, the gatekeeper should, upon their request, allow unhindered access, free of charge, to suchaggregated and non-aggregated non- personal data. Such access should also be given to third parties contracted by the business user, who are acting as processors of this data for the business user. Data provided or generated by the same business users and the same end users of these business users in the context of other services provided by the same gatekeeper may be concerned where this is inextricably linked to the relevant request. To this end, a gatekeeper should not use any contractual or other restrictions to prevent business users from accessing relevant data and should enable business users to obtain consent of their end users for such data access and retrieval, where such consent is required under Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and Directive 2002/58/EC. Gatekeepers should also facilitate access to these data in real time by means of appropriate technical measures, such as for example putting in place high quality application programming interfaces.
Amendment 299 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point h b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point h b (new)
(h b) web browsers;
Amendment 301 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 56
Recital 56
(56) The value of online search engines to their respective business users and end users increases as the total number of such users increases. Providers of online search engines collect and store aggregated datasets containing information about what users searched for, and how they interacted with, the results that they were served. Providers of online search engine services collect these data from searches undertaken on their own online search engine service and, where applicable, searches undertaken on the platforms of their downstream commercial partners. Access by gatekeepers to such ranking, query, click and view data constitutes an important barrier to entry and expansion, which undermines the contestability of online search engine services. Gatekeepers should therefore be obliged to provide access, on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms, to these ranking, query, click and view data in relation to free and paid search generated by consumers on online search engine services to other providers of such services, so that these third-party providers can optimise their services and contest the relevant core platform serviceprovided that the gatekeeper is able to demonstrate that anonymised query, click and view data have been adequately tested against possible re-identification risks. Such access should also be given to third parties contracted by a search engine provider, who are acting as processors of this data for that search engine. When providing access to its search data, a gatekeeper should ensure the protection of the personal data of end users by appropriate means, without substantially degrading the quality or usefulness of the data.
Amendment 301 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point h c (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point h c (new)
(h c) virtual assistant;
Amendment 302 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point h d (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point h d (new)
(h d) connected tv;
Amendment 303 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 57
Recital 57
(57) In particular gatekeepers which provide access to software application stores, online search engine and online social networking service serve as an important gateway for business users that seek to reach end users. In view of the imbalance in bargaining power between those gatekeepers and business users of their software application stores which can result in an adverse effect on end users' right to receive and impart information and ideas, and ultimately affect media pluralism, diversity of opinion as well as competition. In view of the imbalance in bargaining power between those gatekeepers and business users of their software application stores, especially those that are SMEs on a given sectorial market, such as small press publishers, particularly when accessing online search engine and online social networks, on the other hand, those gatekeepers should not be allowed to impose general conditions, including pricing conditions, data usage conditions or conditions related to the licensing of rights held by the business user that would be unfair or lead to unjustified differentiation. Pricing or other general access conditions should be considered unfair if they lead to an imbalance of rights and obligations imposed on business users or confer an advantage on the gatekeeper which is disproportionate to the service provided by the gatekeeper to business users or lead to a disadvantage for business users in providing the same or similar services as the gatekeeper. The following benchmarks can serve as a yardstick to determine the fairness of general access conditions: prices charged or conditions imposed for the same or similar services by other providers of software application stores; prices charged or conditions imposed by the provider of the software application store for different related or similar services or to different types of end users; prices charged or conditions imposed by the provider of the software application store for the same service in different geographic regions; prices charged or conditions imposed by the provider of the software application store for the same service the gatekeeper offers to itself. Determining the fairness of general access conditions should lead to the opportunity to make the revenue stream of digital content providers, such as press publishers being in a dominant position on their market, more transparent, notably in terms of revenues deriving from advertisement, and in terms of distribution of appropriate shares of revenues to the authors of works incorporated in press publications. This obligation should not establish an access right and it should be without prejudice to the ability of providers of software application stores to take the required responsibility in the fight against illegal and unwanted content as set out in Regulation [Digital Services Act]. It should also be without prejudice to the ability of business that are SMEs on a given sectorial market, such as small press publishers, to offer royalty-free licenses in order to ensure access to their content, visibility on online search engines and online social networking services, and it should be without prejudice to the ability of end-users to perform acts of hyperlinking in according to Article15(1) of Directive (EU) 2019/790.
Amendment 303 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point h e (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point h e (new)
(h e) collaborative economy services;
Amendment 317 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13 a (new)
Amendment 318 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13 b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13 b (new)
(13 b) ‘Web browser’ means a client software programme that enables a user to navigate in the World Wide Web to access and display data or to interact with content hosted on servers that are connected to this network, including standalone web browsers, as well as web browsers integrated or embedded in software;
Amendment 319 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 58
Recital 58
(58) To ensure the effectiveness of the obligations laid down by this Regulation, while also making certain that these obligations are limited to what is necessary to ensure contestability and tackling the harmful effects of the unfair behaviour by gatekeepers, it is important to clearly define and circumscribe them so as to allow the gatekeeper to immediately comply with them, in full respect of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and Directive 2002/58/EC, consumer protection, cyber security and product safety. The gatekeepers should ensure the compliance with this Regulation by design. The necessary measures should therefore be as much as possible and where relevant integrated into the technological design used by the gatekeepers. However, it may in certain cases be appropriate for the Commission, following a dialogue conducted within legally binding deadlines with the gatekeeper concerned, to further specify some of the measures that the gatekeeper concerned should adopt in order to effectively comply with those obligations that are susceptible of being further specified. This possibility of a regulatory dialogue should facilitate compliance by gatekeepers and expedite the correct implementation of the Regulation.
Amendment 319 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13 c (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13 c (new)
(13 c) ‘virtual assistant’ means a software application that provides capabilities for oral dialogue with a user in natural language and which intermediates between end users and business users offering voice-based apps;
Amendment 320 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 58 a (new)
Recital 58 a (new)
(58 a) The Commission should also be able to swiftly adopt decisions in case of non-compliance of a gatekeeper with the obligations laid down in this Regulation. In taking such decisions, the Commission should be allowed to specify the measures that would be needed to ensure full compliance with this Regulation and restore the contestability of digital markets when it has been undermined.
Amendment 320 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13 d (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13 d (new)
(13 d) ‘connected tv’ means a television set connected to the internet that allows user to perform online activities including music and video streaming, or viewing of pictures;
Amendment 321 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13 e (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13 e (new)
(13 e) ‘collaborative economy’ refers to business models where activities are facilitated by collaborative platforms that create an open marketplace for the usage of goods or services often provided by private individuals;
Amendment 322 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 59
Recital 59
(59) As an additional element to ensure proportionality, gatekeepers should be given an opportunity to request the temporary suspension, to the extent necessary, of a specific obligation in exceptional circumstances that lie beyond the control of the gatekeeper, such as for example an unforeseen external shock that has temporarily eliminated a significant part of end user demand for the relevant core platform service, where compliance with a specific obligation is shown by the gatekeeper to endanger the economic viability of the Union operations of the gatekeeper concerned. The Commission should state in its decision the reasons for granting the suspension and review it on a regular basis to asses if the conditions for granting it are still viable or not.
Amendment 325 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 17 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 17 a (new)
(17 a) 'Business users of small press publications’ means any natural or legal person acting in a commercial or professional capacity using core platform services for the purpose of or in the course of providing press publications that qualify as micro or small enterprises within the meaning of the Annex to Recommendation 2003/361/EC;
Amendment 328 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 61
Recital 61
(61) The data protection and privacy interests of end users are relevant to any assessment of potential negative effects of the observed practice of gatekeepers to collect and accumulate large amounts of data from end users. Ensuring an adequate level of transparency of profiling practices employed by gatekeepers facilitates contestability of core platform services, by putting external pressure on gatekeepers to prevent making deep consumer profiling the industry standard, given that potential entrants or start-up providers cannot access data to the same extent and depth, and at a similar scale. Enhanced transparency should allow other providers of core platform services to differentiate themselves better through the use of superior privacy guaranteeing facilities. To ensure a minimum level of effectiveness of this transparency obligation, gatekeepers should at least provide a description of the basis upon which profiling is performed, including whether personal data and data derived from user activity is relied on, the processing applied, the purpose for which the profile is prepared and eventually used, the impact of such profiling on the gatekeeper’s services, and the steps taken to enable end users to be aware of the relevant use of such profiling, as well as to seek their consent. The Commission should develop, in consultation with the EU Data Protection Supervisor, the European Data Protection Board, civil society and experts, the standards and process of the audit. The audited description, as well as any relevant materials that is collected in the context of supervising the gatekeepers that relate to the processing of personal data, shall be shared by the Commission with any competent supervisory authority represented in the European Data Protection Board, upon its request.
Amendment 334 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 23 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 23 a (new)
(23 a) ‘consent’ of the data subject means any freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous indication of the data subject's wishes as defined in point 11 of Article 4 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679;
Amendment 337 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 23 b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 23 b (new)
(23 b) ‘profiling’ means any form of automated processing of personal data as defined in point 4 of Article 4 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679;
Amendment 341 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 64
Recital 64
(64) The Commission should investigate and assess whether additional behavioural, or, where appropriate, structural remedies are justified, in order to ensure that the gatekeeper cannot frustrate the objectives of this Regulation by systematic non- compliance with one or several of the obligations laid down in this Regulation, which has further strengthened its gatekeeper position. This would be the caseIn imposing these remedies, the Commission should take into consideration if the gatekeeper’s size in the internal market has further increased, economic dependency of business users and end users on the gatekeeper’s core platform services has further strengthened as their number has further increased and the gatekeeper benefits from increased entrenchment of its position. The Commission should therefore in such cases have the power to impose any remedy, whether behavioural or structural, having due regard to the principle of proportionality. Structural remedies, such as legal, functional or structural separation, including the divestiture of a business, or parts of it, should only be imposed either where there is no equally effective behavioural remedy or where any equally effective behavioural remedy would be more burdensome for the undertaking concerned than the structural remedy. Changes to the structure of an undertaking as it existed before the systematic non- compliance was established would only be proportionate where there is a substantial risk that this systematic non-compliance results from the very structure of the undertaking concerned.
Amendment 342 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) it operates a core platform service which serves as an important gateway for business users or end users to reach other end users; and
Amendment 349 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) the requirement in paragraph 1 point (a) where the undertaking to which it belongs achieves an annual EEA turnover equal to or above EUR 6.5 billion in the last three financial years, or where the average market capitalisation or the equivalent fair market value of the undertaking to which it belongs amounted to at least EUR 65 billion in the last financial year, and it provides a core platform service in at least threewo Member States;
Amendment 351 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b – introductory part
(b) the requirement in paragraph 1 point (b) where it provides aone or more core platform service that hascombine more than 4530 million monthly active end users established or located in the Union andor more than 10 000 yearly active business users established in the Union in the last financial year;
Amendment 352 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 68
Recital 68
(68) In order to ensure effective implementation and compliance with this Regulation, the Commission should have strong investigative and enforcement powers, to allow it to investigate, enforce and monitor the rules laid down in this Regulation, while at the same time ensuring the respect for the fundamental right to be heard and to have access to the file in the context of the enforcement proceedings. The Commission should dispose of these investigative powers also for the purpose of carrying out market investigations for the purpose of updating and reviewing this Regulation. National competent authorities should assist the Commission in monitoring and enforcing obligations laid down in this Regulation by providing support and expertise to the Commission or by requesting the Commission to open a market investigation based on evidence collected.
Amendment 355 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 68 a (new)
Recital 68 a (new)
(68 a) In order to ensure effective enforcement and compliance with this Regulation, it should be possible for interested third-parties to lodge a complaint when there is sufficient doubt on the non-compliance of a gatekeeper with the obligations laid down in this Regulation. The Commission should decide within an appropriate timeline on further action based on the evidence submitted.
Amendment 355 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
3. Where a provider of core platform services meets all the thresholds in paragraph 2, it shall notify the Commission thereof within threundue delay and no later than one months after those thresholds are satisfied and provide it with the relevant information identified in paragraph 2.. That notification shall include the relevant information identified in paragraph 2 for each of the core platform services of the provider that meets the thresholds in paragraph 2 point (b). The notification shall be updated whenever other core platform services individually meet the thresholds in paragraph 2 point (b).
Amendment 359 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – introductory part
4. The Commission shall, without undue delay and at the latest 60 days after receiving the complete information referred to in paragraph 3, designate the provider of core platform services that meets all the thresholds of paragraph 2 as a gatekeeper, unless that provider, with its notification, presents sufficiently substantiated arguments to demonstrate that, in the circumstances in which the relevant core platform service operates, and taking into account the elements listed in paragraph 6, the provider does not satisfy the requirements of paragraph 1. Where the gatekeeper presents such sufficiently substantiated arguments to demonstrate that it does not satisfy the requirements of paragraph 1, the Commission shall assess those arguments within the time-limit set in the first subparagraph. Where the provider of a core platform service that satisfies the quantitative thresholds of paragraph 2 fails to comply with the investigative measures ordered by the Commission and the failure persists after the provider has been invited to comply within a reasonable time-limit and to submit observations, the Commission shall be entitled to designate that provider as a gatekeeper.
Amendment 362 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 72 a (new)
Recital 72 a (new)
(72 a) The Commission should be adequately staffed to ensure the successful implementation and effective enforcement of this Regulation.
Amendment 366 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Where the gatekeeper presents such sufficiently substantiated arguments to demonstrate that it does not satisfy the requirements of paragraph 1, the Commission shall apply paragraph 6 to assess whetssess within the time- limits set in the first subparagraph the arguments provided by a gatekeeper to demonstrate that it does not satisfy the qualitative requirements of paragraph 1. Where the criteria in paragraph 1 are metprovider of a core platform service that satisfies the quantitative thresholds of paragraph 2 fails to comply with the investigative measures ordered by the Commission and the failure persists after the provider has been invited to comply within a reasonable time-limit and to submit observations, the Commission shall designate that provider as a gatekeeper.
Amendment 367 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 75
Recital 75
(75) In the context of proceedings carried out under this Regulation, the undertakings concerned should be accorded the right to be heard by the Commission and the decisions taken should be widely publicised. Natural or legal persons demonstrating sufficient interest shall also have the right to be heard. Parties that are directly affected by the obligations under Articles 5 and 6shall be considered to have sufficient interest but also organisations representing consumers interests where the proceedings concern products or services provided to end-users. While ensuring the rights to good administration and the rights of defence of the undertakings concerned, in particular, the right of access to the file and the right to be heard, it is essential that confidential information be protected. Furthermore, while respecting the confidentiality of the information, the Commission should ensure that any information relied on for the purpose of the decision is disclosed to an extent that allows the addressee of the decision to understand the facts and considerations that led up to the decision. Finally, under certain conditions certain business records, such as communication between lawyers and their clients, may be considered confidential if the relevant conditions are met.
Amendment 371 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 77
Recital 77
(77) The advisory committee established in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182//2011 should also deliver opinions on certain individual decisions of the Commission issued under this Regulation. In order to ensure contestable and fair markets in the digital sector across the Union where gatekeepers are present, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty should be delegated to the Commission to supplement this Regulation. In particular, delegated acts should be adopted in respect of the methodology for determining the quantitative thresholds for designation of gatekeepers under this Regulation and in respect of the update of the obligations laid down in this Regulation where, based on a market investigation the Commission has identified the need for updating the obligations addressing practices that limit the contestability of core platform services or are unfair. It is of particular importance that the Commission carries out appropriate consultations, including with interested third parties demonstrating legitimate interest, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making of 13 April 201636 . In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council receive all documents at the same time as Member States' experts, and their experts systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts. _________________ 36Interinstitutional Agreement between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission on Better Law-Making (OJ L 123, 12.5.2016, p.1).
Amendment 373 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 6 – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 6 – introductory part
6. The Commission may identify as a gatekeeper, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 15, any provider of core platform services that meets each of the requirements of paragraph 1, but does not satisfy each of the thresholds of paragraph 2, or has presented sufficiently substantiated arguments in accordance with paragraph 4.
Amendment 376 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) the size, including turnover and market capitalisation, operations and position of the provider of core platform services, taking into account any intended concentration in line with Article 12(1);
Amendment 384 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. This Regulation lays down harmonised rules ensuring contestable and fair markets in the digital sector across the Union where gatekeepers are present so as to contribute to the protection of fundamental rights and the integrity of democratic processes, as well as to foster innovation, increase consumer choice and ensure higher consumer protection standards .
Amendment 388 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2
2. This Regulation shall apply to core platform services provided or offered by gatekeepers to business users established in the Union or end users established or located in the Union, irrespective of the place of establishment or residence of the gatekeepers and irrespective of the law otherwise applicable to the provision of service. Services acting in a non- commercial purpose capacity such as collaborative projects should not be considered as core services. This Regulation respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, in particular Articles 11, 16, 47 and 50 thereof. Accordingly, this Regulation is interpreted and applied with respect to those rights and principles.
Amendment 389 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 3
Article 3 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 3
Amendment 393 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 4
Article 3 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 4
Where the provider of a core platform service that does not satisfy the quantitative thresholds of paragraph 2 fails to comply with the investigative measures ordered by the Commission in a significant manner and the failure persists after the provider has been invited to comply within a reasonable time-limit and to submit observations, the Commission shall be entitled to designate that provider as a gatekeeper based on facts available.
Amendment 395 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 7
Article 3 – paragraph 7
7. For each gatekeeper identified pursuant to paragraph 4 or paragraph 6, the Commission shall identify within the deadline set under paragraph 4 the relevant undertaking to which it belongs and list the relevant core platform services that are provided within that same undertaking and which individually serve as an important gateway for business users and end users to reach end users as referred to in paragraph 1(b).
Amendment 400 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 8
Article 3 – paragraph 8
8. The gatekeeper shall comply with the obligations laid down in Articles 5 and 6 within sixthree months after a core platform service has been included in the list pursuant to paragraph 7 of this Article.
Amendment 402 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 6
Article 1 – paragraph 6
6. This Regulation is without prejudice to the application of Articles 101 and 102 TFEU. It is also without prejudice to the application of: national rules prohibiting anticompetitive agreements, decisions by associations of undertakings, concerted practices and abuses of dominant positions; national competition rules prohibiting other forms of unilateral conduct insofar as they are applied to undertakings other than gatekeepers or amount to imposing additional obligations on gatekeepers; Council Regulation (EC) No 139/200438 and national rules concerning merger control; Regulation (EU) 2019/1150 and Regulation (EU) …./.. of the European Parliament and of the Council39 , Regulation 2016/679, Directive 2002/58/EC, Directive (EU) 2019/882, Directive(EU) 2018/1808, as well as without prejudice to Union law on consumer protection and product safety. _________________ 38Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 of 20 January 2004 on the control of concentrations between undertakings (the EC Merger Regulation) (OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1). 39Regulation (EU) …/.. of the European Parliament and of the Council – proposal on a Single Market For Digital Services (Digital Services Act) and amending Directive 2000/31/EC.
Amendment 412 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) refrain from combining personal data sourced from these core platform services with personal data from any other services offered by the gatekeeper or with personal data from third-party services, and from signing in end users to other services of the gatekeeper in order to combine personal data, unless the end user has been presented with the specific choice and provided consent in the sense of Regulation (EU) 2016/679. ;
Amendment 416 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(a a) ensure that the commercial terms, including pricing, for the provision of applications or services to a business user or end user shall not be made dependent upon whether or to what degree business user or end user uses other applications or services from the same provider, or a related entity.
Amendment 417 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a b (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a b (new)
Amendment 418 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a c (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a c (new)
(a c) refrain from combining personal data for advertising purposes or purposes of behaviour prediction;
Amendment 423 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point g
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point g
(g) cloud computing services, including business to business cloud;
Amendment 426 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) allow business users to offer the same products or services to end users through third party online intermediation services or through direct business channels at prices or conditions that are different from those offered through the online intermediation services of the gatekeeper;
Amendment 428 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point h a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point h a (new)
(h a) embedded digital services in vehicles;
Amendment 436 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point h b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point h b (new)
(h b) web browsers;
Amendment 437 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) refrain from preventing or restricting business users or end user from raising issues with any relevant public authority or in front of national judiciary authority relating to any practice of gatekeepers;
Amendment 438 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point h c (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point h c (new)
(h c) virtual assistants;
Amendment 440 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point h d (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point h d (new)
(h d) connected tv;
Amendment 440 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) refrain from requiring business users or end users to use, offer or interoperate with an identification service of the gatekeeper in the context of services offered by the business users using the core platform services of that gatekeeper, which shall not result in a lower level of security for users and shall not prevent the gatekeeper from limiting access to third party recommender systems temporarily and in exceptional circumstances, when justified by an obligation under Article 18 of NIS 2 Directive or Article 32(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679;
Amendment 441 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point h e (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point h e (new)
(h e) collaborative economy services;
Amendment 446 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point f
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) refrain from requiring business users or end users to subscribe to or register with any other core platform services identified pursuant to Article 3 or which meets the thresholds in Article 3(2)(b)or any ancillary service as a condition to access, sign up or register to any of their core platform services identified pursuant to that Article;
Amendment 449 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point g
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point g
Amendment 457 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
(g a) allow end users to un-install any pre-installed software applications on the gatekeeper owned or controlled operating system;
Amendment 461 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13 a (new)
(13 a) 'embedded digital services in vehicles' means software embedded in vehicles including for the purpose of gaining insights into vehicle performance and driver behaviour, or for the purpose of accessing audio-visual media content;
Amendment 461 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point g b (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point g b (new)
(g b) allow end users and business users of number independent interpersonal communication services and social network services access to and to interoperate with the gatekeepers services by providing open standards, open protocols including Application Programming Interface.
Amendment 462 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13 b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13 b (new)
(13 b) 'Web browser’ means a client software programme that enables a user to navigate in the World Wide Web to access and display data or to interact with content hosted on servers that are connected to this network, including standalone web browsers, as well as web browsers integrated or embedded in software;
Amendment 463 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13 c (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13 c (new)
(13 c) 'virtual assistant’ means a software application that provides capabilities for oral dialogue with a user in natural language and which intermediates between end users and business users offering voice-based apps;
Amendment 464 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13 d (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13 d (new)
(13 d) 'connected tv` means a television set connected to the internet that allows user to perform online activities including music and video streaming, or viewing of pictures ;
Amendment 465 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13 e (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13 e (new)
(13 e) 'collaborative economy` refers to business models where activities are facilitated by collaborative platforms that create an open marketplace for the temporary usage of goods or services often provided by private individuals;
Amendment 472 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 17 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 17 a (new)
(17 a) 'Business users of small press publications’ means any natural or legal person acting in a commercial or professional capacity using core platform services for the purpose of or in the course of providing press publications that qualify as micro or small enterprises within the meaning of the Annex to Recommendation 2003/361/EC;
Amendment 487 #
(23 a) ‘consent’ of the data subject means any freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous indication of the data subject's wishes as defined in point 11 of Article 4 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679;
Amendment 490 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 23 b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 23 b (new)
(23 b) ‘profiling’ means any form of automated processing of personal data as defined in point 4 of Article 4 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679.
Amendment 493 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) allow the installation and effective use of third party software applications or, software application stores or repositories using, or interoperating with, operating systems of that gatekeeper and allow these software applications or, software application stores or repositories to be accessed by means other than the core platform services of that gatekeeper. The gatekeeper shall not be prevented from taking proportionate measures to ensure that third party software applications or software application stores do not endanger the integrity of the hardware or operating system provided by the gatekeeper;
Amendment 496 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) it operates a core platform service which serves as an important gateway for business users or end users to reach other end users; and
Amendment 504 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) refrain from technically restricting the ability of end users to switch between and subscribe to different software applications and services to be accessed using the operating system of the gatekeeper, including as regards the choice of Internet access provider for end users;.
Amendment 506 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) the requirement in paragraph 1 point (a) where the undertaking to which it belongs achieves an annual EEA turnover equal to or above EUR 6.5 billion in the last three financial years, or where the average market capitalisation or the equivalent fair market value of the undertaking to which it belongs amounted to at least EUR 65 billion in the last financial year, and it provides a core platform service in at least threewo Member States;
Amendment 506 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(e a) refrain from securing or establishing pre-set default positions for the online search engines of the gatekeeper across the main search access points of the operating systems owned by any gatekeeper. The gatekeeper who owns or controls an operating system must present the user upon first activation with a choice of online search engines.
Amendment 509 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b – introductory part
(b) the requirement in paragraph 1 point (b) where it provides aone or more core platform service that hascombine more than 4530 million monthly active end users established or located in the Union andor more than 10 000 yearly active business users established in the Union in the last financial year;
Amendment 509 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point f
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) allow business users, end users and providers of ancillary servicesservices free of charge access to and interoperability with the same operating system, hardware or software features that are available or used in the provision by the gatekeeper of any ancillary services;
Amendment 514 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point g
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point g
Amendment 525 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
3. Where a provider of core platform services meets all the thresholds in paragraph 2, it shall notify the Commission thereof within threundue delay and no later than one months after those thresholds are satisfied and provide it with the relevant information identified in paragraph 2.. That notification shall include the relevant information identified in paragraph 2 for each of the core platform services of the provider that meets the thresholds in paragraph 2 point (b). The notification shall be updated whenever other core platform services individually meet the thresholds in paragraph 2 point (b).
Amendment 526 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point h
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point h
(h) provide effective portability of all data generated through the activity of a business user or end user and shall, in particular, provide tools for end users to facilitate the exercise of full data portability, in line with Regulation (EU) 2016/679, including by the provision of continuous and real-time access ;
Amendment 531 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point i
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point i
(i) provide business users, or third parties authorised by a business user, free of charge, with effective, high-quality, continuous and real-time access and use of aggregated or non-aggregated non- personal data, that is provided for or generated in the context of the use of the relevant core platform services by those business users and the end users engaging with the products or services provided by those business users; for personal data, provide access and use only where directly connected with the use effectuated by the end user in respect of the products or services offered by the relevant business user through the relevant core platform service, and when the end user opts in to such sharing with a consent in the sense of the Regulation (EU) 2016/679; ;
Amendment 534 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point j
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point j
(j) provide to any third party providers of online search engines, upon their request, with access on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms to ranking, query, click and view data in relation to free and paid search generated by end users on online search engines of the gatekeeper, subject to anonymisation for the query, click and view data that constitutes personal data provided that the gatekeepers able to demonstrate that anonymised query, click and view data have been adequately tested against possible re-identification risks;
Amendment 535 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point k
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point k
(k) apply transparent, fair and non- discriminatory general conditions of access for business users to its software application store designated pursuant to Article 3 of this Regulation. , and for business users SMEs on a given sectorial market to its online search engine and online social networking service designated pursuant to Article 3 of this Regulation;
Amendment 537 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – introductory part
4. The Commission shall, without undue delay and at the latest 60 days after receiving the complete information referred to in paragraph 3, designate the provider of core platform services that meets all the thresholds of paragraph 2 as a gatekeeper, unless that provider, with its notification, presents sufficiently substantiated arguments to demonstrate that, in the circumstances in which the relevant core platform service operates, and taking into account the elements listed in paragraph 6, the provider does not satisfy the requirements of paragraph 1.
Amendment 541 #
Where the gatekeeper presents such sufficiently substantiated arguments to demonstrate that it does not satisfy the requirements of paragraph 1, the Commission shall apply paragraph 6 to assess whetssess within the time- limits set in the first subparagraph the arguments provided by a gatekeeper to demonstrate that it does not satisfy the qualitative requirements of paragraph 1. Where the criteria in paragraph 1 are metprovider of a core platform service that satisfies the quantitative thresholds of paragraph 2 fails to comply with the investigative measures ordered by the Commission and the failure persists after the provider has been invited to comply within a reasonable time-limit and to submit observations, the Commission shall designate that provider as a gatekeeper.
Amendment 541 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point k a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point k a (new)
(k a) ensure that their services, including user interfaces, are accessible to persons with disabilities in accordance with Article 13 of Directive (EU) 2019/882. They shall also ensure that business users which rely on their core platform service to reach consumers for offering services and products in the scope of that Directive, comply with the requirements of that Directive.
Amendment 543 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 5
Article 3 – paragraph 5
5. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 37 to specify the methodology for determining whether the quantitative thresholds laid down in paragraph 2 are met, and to regularly adjust ithe methodology to market and technological developments where necessary, in particular as regards the threshold in paragraph 2, point (a).
Amendment 546 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 6 – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 6 – introductory part
6. The Commission may identify as a gatekeeper, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 15, any provider of core platform services that meets each of the requirements of paragraph 1, but does not satisfy each of the thresholds of paragraph 2, or has presented sufficiently substantiated arguments in accordance with paragraph 4.
Amendment 546 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point k b (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point k b (new)
(k b) refrain from deploying subliminal techniques beyond a person`s consciousness in order to materially distort a person`s behaviour in a manner that can lead that person towards making certain choices by appealing to psychological biases driven by intermediation bias;
Amendment 548 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) the size, including turnover and market capitalisation, operations and position of the provider of core platform services, taking into account any intended concentration notified in line with Article 12(1);
Amendment 560 #
2. Where the Commission finds that the measures that the gatekeeper intends to implement pursuant to paragraph 1, or has implemented, do not ensure effective compliance with the relevant obligations laid down in Article 6, it mayshall by decision specify the measures that the gatekeeper concerned shall implement. The Commission shall adopt such a decision within six months from the opening of proceedings pursuant to Article 18. The decision shall be made public without delay.
Amendment 564 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 3
Article 3 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 3
Amendment 565 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3
Article 7 – paragraph 3
Amendment 567 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 4
Article 3 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 4
Where the provider of a core platform service that does not satisfy the quantitative thresholds of paragraph 2 fails to comply with the investigative measures ordered by the Commission in a significant manner and the failure persists after the provider has been invited to comply within a reasonable time-limit and to submit observations, the Commission shall be entitled to designate that provider as a gatekeeper based on facts available.
Amendment 567 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 4
Article 7 – paragraph 4
4. In view of adopting the decision under paragraph 2, the Commission shall communicate its preliminary findings to gatekeepers within three months from the opening of the proceedings. In the preliminary findings, the Commission shall explain the measures it considers to take or it considers that the provider of core platform services concerned should take in order to effectively address the preliminary findings. The Commission may consult interested third parties demonstrating sufficient interest when drafting the preliminary findings. The preliminary findings shall be made public without delay.
Amendment 570 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 7
Article 3 – paragraph 7
7. For each gatekeeper identified pursuant to paragraph 4 or paragraph 6, the Commission shall identify within the deadline set under paragraph 4 the relevant undertaking to which it belongs and list the relevant core platform services that are provided within that same undertaking and which individually serve as an important gateway for business users and end users to reach end users as referred to in paragraph 1(b).
Amendment 570 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 6 a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. For the purposes of specifying the obligations under Article 6(1) point (f), interoperability shall be defined by reference to the open technologies, open standards and open protocols, including the technical interface (Application Programming Interface), that allows end users of competing software and services and business users to dock on to the gatekeepers core service and to interoperate with it. Any processing of personal data by gatekeepers shall comply with Regulation (EU) 2016/679, in particular Articles 6(1)(a) and 5(1)(c). Interoperability obligations shall not limit, hinder or delay the ability of intermediaries and gatekeepers to address vulnerabilities in order to comply with an obligation under Article 18 of NIS 2 Directive or Article 32(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679. The Commission shall adopt an implementing act establishing the technical specifications meeting the interoperability requirements set out in Articles 6(1)(f) and 7.
Amendment 572 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 7
Article 7 – paragraph 7
7. A gatekeeper may request within the time-limits set under Article 3(8) the opening of proceedings pursuant to Article 18 for the Commission to determine whether the measures that the gatekeeper intends to implement or has implemented under Article 6 are effective in achieving the objective of the relevant obligation in the specific circumstances. A gatekeeper may, with its request, provide a reasoned submission to explain in particular why the measures that it intends to implement or has implemented are effective in achieving the objective of the relevant obligation in the specific circumstances.
Amendment 575 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 7 a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. The powers granted to the Commission under this Article are without prejudice to the jurisdiction ofnational courts to ensure compliance with the obligations laid down in Articles5 and 6 in legal proceedings between gatekeepers, business and end users, including in collective redress procedures pursuant to Directive (EU) 2020/18281a. _________________ 1aDirective (EU) 2020/1828 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2020 on representative actions for the protection of the collective interests of consumers and repealing Directive 2009/22/EC
Amendment 580 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 8
Article 3 – paragraph 8
8. The gatekeeper shall comply with the obligations laid down in Articles 5 and 6 within sixthree months after a core platform service has been included in the list pursuant to paragraph 7 of this Article.
Amendment 594 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Article 10 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 34 to update the existing obligations laid down in Articles 5 and 6, and add obligations where, based on a market investigation pursuant to Article 17, it has identified the need for new obligations addressing practices that limit the contestability of core platform services or are unfair in the same way as the practices addressed by the obligations laid down in Articles 5 and 6.
Amendment 597 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) there is an imbalance of rights and obligations on business users or end users, and the gatekeeper is obtaining an advantage from business users that is disproportionate to the service provided by the gatekeeper either to business or end users; or
Amendment 602 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1
Article 11 – paragraph 1
1. A gatekeeper shall ensure that the obligations of Articles 5 and 6 are fully and effectively complied with. While the obligations of Articles 5 and 6 apply in respect of core platform services designated pursuant to Article 3, their implementation shall not be undermined by any behaviour of the undertaking to which the gatekeeper belongs, regardless of whether this behaviour is of a contractual, commercial, technical or any other nature, including product design, structure, function or manner of operation capable of influencing user choice and autonomy or through agreements with third party business partners of the gatekeepers.
Amendment 603 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) refrain from combining personal data sourced from these core platform services with personal data from any other services offered by the gatekeeper or with personal data from third-party services, and from signing in end users to other services of the gatekeeper in order to combine personal data, unless the end user has been presented with the specific choice and provided consent in the sense of Regulation (EU) 2016/679. ;
Amendment 606 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(a a) refrain from delivering and displaying advertisement that is targeting or micro-targeting individuals or segments of individuals based on their behaviour, the tracking of their activities or on profiling within the meaning of Article 4(4) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679;
Amendment 606 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2
Article 11 – paragraph 2
2. Where consent for collecting and processing of personal data is required to ensure compliance with this Regulation, a gatekeeper shall take the necessary steps to either enable business users to directly obtain the required consent to their processing, where required under Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and Directive 2002/58/EC, or to comply with Union data protection and privacy rules and principles in other ways including by providing business users with duly anonymised data where appropriate. The gatekeeper shall not make the obtaining of this consent by the business user more burdensome than for its own services including but not limited to, through product design, structure, function or manner of operation capable of influencing user choice and autonomy or through agreements with third party business partners of the gatekeepers.
Amendment 609 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a b (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a b (new)
(a b) refrain from combining personal data for advertising purposes or purposes of behaviour prediction;
Amendment 609 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – title
Article 12 – title
Amendment 610 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. A gatekeeper shall informnotify to the Commission of any intended concentration within the meaning of Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 involving another provider of core platform services or of any other services provided in the digital sector irrespective of whether it is notifiable to a Union competition authority under Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 or to a competent national competition authority under national merger rules.
Amendment 612 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
A gatekeeper shall informnotify the Commission of such a concentration prior to its implementation and following the conclusion of the agreement, the announcement of the public bid, or the acquisition of a controlling interest.
Amendment 613 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2
Article 12 – paragraph 2
2. The notification pursuant to paragraph 1 shall at least describe for the acquisition targets their EEA and worldwide annual turnover, for any relevant core platform services their respective EEA annual turnover, their number of yearly active business users and the number of monthly active end users, the categories of personal data they process, as well as the rationale of the intended concentration.
Amendment 614 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. The Commission shall assess the impact on any intended concentration on the contestability of markets by taking into account, inter alia, the elements laid down in Article 3(6). If, following this assessment, it is demonstrated that a concentration would weaken the contestability of markets, the Commission shall impose proportionate behavioural or structural remedies to ensure compliance with this Regulation.
Amendment 615 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 3
Article 12 – paragraph 3
3. If, following any concentration as provided in paragraph 1, it is demonstrated that additional core platform services individually satisfy the thresholds in point (b) of Article 3(2), the gatekeeper concerned shall inform the Commission thereof within three months from the implementation of the concentration and provide the Commission with the information referred to in Article 3(2).
Amendment 616 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) allow business users to offer the same products or services to end users through third party online intermediation services or through direct business channels at prices or conditions that are different from those offered through the online intermediation services of the gatekeeper;
Amendment 616 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. The Commission shall publish annually the list of acquisitions of which it has been informed by gatekeepers which have fallen below the notification thresholds of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004.
Amendment 623 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 13 – paragraph 1 a (new)
The Commission shall develop, in consultation with the EU Data Protection Supervisor, the European Data Protection Board, civil society and experts, the standards and process of the audit. The audited description, as well as any relevant materials that is collected in the context of supervising the gatekeepers that relate to the processing of personal data, shall be shared by the Commission with any competent supervisory authority represented in the European Data Protection Board, upon its request. The Commission shall publish every two years a report on the findings.
Amendment 629 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1
Article 15 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission may conduct a market investigation for the purpose of examining whether a provider of core platform services should be designated as a gatekeeper pursuant to Article 3(6), or in order to identify core platform services for a gatekeeper pursuant to Article 3(7). It shall endeavour to conclude its investigation by adopting a decision in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 32(4) within twelvesix months from the opening of the market investigation.
Amendment 633 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2
Article 15 – paragraph 2
2. In the course of a market investigation pursuant to paragraph 1, the Commission shall endeavour to communicate its preliminary findings to the provider of core platform services concerned within sixthree months from the opening of the investigation. In the preliminary findings, the Commission shall explain whether it considers, on a provisional basis, that the provider of core platform services should be designated as a gatekeeper pursuant to Article 3(6).
Amendment 635 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) refrain from preventing or restricting business users or end user from raising issues with any relevant public authority or in front of national judiciary authority relating to any practice of gatekeepers;
Amendment 635 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 3
Article 15 – paragraph 3
Amendment 638 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 4
Article 15 – paragraph 4
4. When the Commission pursuant to Article 3(6) designates as a gatekeeper a provider of core platform services that does not yet enjoy an entrenched and durable position in its operations, but it is foreseeable that it will enjoy such a position in the near future, based on a notification in line with Article 12(1), it shall declare applicable to that gatekeeper onlythe obligations laid down in Article 5(b) and Article 6(1) points (e), (f), (h) and (i) as specified in the designation decision. The Commission shall only declare applicable those obligations that are appropriate and necessary to prevent that the gatekeeper concerned achieves by unfair means an entrenched and durable position in its operations. The Commission shall review such a designation in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 4.
Amendment 641 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – title
Article 16 – title
Market investigation into systematic non- compliance or concentration that weakens the contestability of markets
Amendment 643 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1
Article 16 – paragraph 1
1. Where the market investigation shows that a gatekeeper has systematically infringed the obligations laid down in Articles 5 and 6 and has further strengthened or extended its gatekeeper position in relatior where the Commission assesses under Article 12 that any intended concentration has an adverse impact on to the characteristics under Article 3(1)ontestability of markets, the Commission mayshall by decision adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 32(4) impose on such gatekeeper any behavioural or structural remedies which are proportionate to the infringement committed and necessary to ensure compliance with this Regulation. The Commission shall conclude its investigation by adopting a decision within twelve months from the opening of the market investigation.
Amendment 647 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) refrain from requiring business users or end users to use, offer or interoperate with an identification service of the gatekeeper in the context of services offered by the business users using the core platform services of that gatekeeper;
Amendment 648 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 2
Article 16 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission may onlyalso impose structural remedies pursuant to paragraph 1 either where thwhere it consideres is no equallyt more effective than behavioural remedy or where any equally effective behavioural remedy would be more burdensome for the gatekeeper concerned than the structural remedy.ies in ensuring compliance with the obligations laid down in Articles 5 and 6. Such structural remedies may include: - separation of business units; - unbundling and horizontal division of services; - changes to the gatekeeper’s financing model; - disgorging financial benefits to end- users;
Amendment 649 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 3
Article 16 – paragraph 3
3. A gatekeeper shall be deemed to have engaged in a systematic non- compliance with the obligations laid down in Articles 5 and 6, whereas soon as the Commission has issued at least threewo non- compliance or fining decisions pursuant to Articles 25 and 26 respectively against a gatekeeper in relation to any of its core platform services within a period of five years prior to the adoption of the decision opening a market investigation in view of the possible adoption of a decision pursuant to this Articleten years.
Amendment 652 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 4
Article 16 – paragraph 4
Amendment 656 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 5
Article 16 – paragraph 5
5. The Commission shall communicate its objections to the gatekeeper concerned within sixthree months from the opening of the investigation. In its objections, the Commission shall explain whether it preliminarily considers that the conditions of paragraph 1 are met and which remedy or remedies it preliminarily considers necessary and proportionate.
Amendment 663 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point f
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) refrain from requiring business users or end users to subscribe to or register with any other core platform services identified pursuant to Article 3 or which meets the thresholds in Article 3(2)(b)or any ancillary service as a condition to access, sign up or register to any of their core platform services identified pursuant to that Article;
Amendment 673 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 1
Article 22 – paragraph 1
1. In case of urgency due to the risk of serious and irreparable damage for business users or end users of gatekeepers, imminent threats to the fairness and contestability of markets or the general considerations laid out in Article 1(1), the Commission may, by decision adopt in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 32(4), order interim measures against a gatekeeper on the basis of a prima facie finding of an infringement of Articles 5 or 6.
Amendment 675 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 2
Article 22 – paragraph 2
2. A decision pursuant to paragraph 1 may only be adopted in the context of proceedings opened in view of the possible adoption of a decision of non-compliance pursuant to Article 25(1). This decision shall apply for a specified period of time and may be renewed in so far this is necessary and appropriate.
Amendment 678 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point g
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) provide advertisers and publishers to which it supplies digital advertising services based on contextual information, upon their request, with information concerning the price paid by the advertiser and publisher, as well as the amount or remuneration paid to the publisher, for the publishing of a given ad and for each of the relevant advertising services provided by the gatekeeper.
Amendment 679 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 2 – point a a (new)
Article 23 – paragraph 2 – point a a (new)
(a a) the measures proposed by the gatekeeper have proven ineffective to ensure compliance with the obligations of Article 5 and 6;
Amendment 681 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 1
Article 24 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission mayshall take the necessary actions to monitor the effective implementation and compliance with the obligations laid down in Articles 5 and 6 and the decisions taken pursuant to Articles 7, 16, 22 and 23.
Amendment 684 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 2
Article 24 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission will ensure that the number of permanent staff exclusively allocated for activities pertaining to the implementation of this Regulation is no lower than 300. The actions pursuant to paragraph 1 may include the appointment of independent external experts and auditors to assist the Commission to monitor the obligations and measures and to provide specific expertise or knowledge to the Commission.
Amendment 690 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 25 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. The Commission shall adopt its decision within six months from the opening of a proceeding.
Amendment 691 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 3
Article 25 – paragraph 3
3. In the non-compliance decision adopted pursuant to paragraph 1, the Commission shall order the gatekeeper to cease and desist with the non-compliance within an appropriate deadline and to provide eximpose any appropriate remedies to ensure effective complianations on how it plans to comply with the decisce with the obligations laid down under Articles 5 and 6 and restore contestability and fairness on the markets in line with this Regulation.
Amendment 696 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
(g a) allow end users to un-install any pre-installed software applications on its operating system;
Amendment 696 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 4
Article 25 – paragraph 4
4. The gatekeeper shall provide the Commission with the description of the measures it took to ensure compliance with the decision adopted pursuant to paragraph 1. In case the noncompliance persists following a review of the measures taken by the gatekeeper, the Commission shall propose amendments to these measures to ensure full compliance with obligations laid down under Articles 5 and 6.
Amendment 698 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 26 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. In the decision pursuant to Article 25, the Commission may impose on a gatekeeper fines not exceeding 10% of its total worldwide turnover in the preceding financial year where it finds that the gatekeeper, intentionally or negligently, fails to comply with:
Amendment 700 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 26 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. The Commission may by decision impose on undertakings and associations of undertakings fines not exceeding 12% of the total worldwide turnover in the preceding financial year where they intentionally or negligently:
Amendment 701 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point g b (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point g b (new)
(g b) allow end users, business users of number independent interpersonal communication services and social network services to access to and interoperate with the gatekeepers services by providing open standards, open protocols including Application Programming Interface.
Amendment 704 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 27 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. The Commission may by decision impose on undertakings, including gatekeepers where applicable, periodic penalty payments not exceeding 510 % of the average daily worldwide turnover in the preceding financial year per day, calculated from the date set by that decision, in order to compel them:
Amendment 708 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 1
Article 28 – paragraph 1
1. The powers conferred on the Commission by Articles 26 and 27 shall be subject to a threfive year limitation period.
Amendment 710 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 30 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. If the Commission considers it necessary, it may also hear other natural or legal persons before taking the decisions as provided for in paragraph 1. Applications to be heard on the part of such persons shall, where they show a sufficient interest, be granted. The national competent authorities designated under Article 21(a) may also ask the Commission to hear other natural or legal persons with sufficient interest.
Amendment 713 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 2
Article 30 – paragraph 2
2. Gatekeepers, undertakings and, associations of undertakings and interested third parties concerned may submit their observations to the Commission’s preliminary findings within a time limit which shall be fixed by the Commission in its preliminary findings and which may not be less than 14 days.
Amendment 717 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 3
Article 30 – paragraph 3
3. The Commission shall base its decisions only on objections on which gatekeepers, undertakings and, associations of undertakings and interested third-parties concerned have been able to comment.
Amendment 719 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 a (new)
Article 30 a (new)
Article 30 a Accountability 1. The Commission shall adopt an annual report on the state of the digital economy. This report shall provide an analysis of the market position, influence and business models of the gatekeepers in the common market. The report shall include a summary of its activities, in particular supervisory measures adopted under Chapter II and IV of this Regulation as well as an assessment on whether competition rules, the provisions of this Regulation (and Regulation XX/2021 DSA) and current enforcement levels are adequate to address anticompetitive conduct and ensure the contestability and fairness of digital markets. This annual report shall also include an assessment of the audit reports foreseen in Article 13 and a social impact assessment, which assesses new digital products and services and their potential impact on mental health, user behaviour, disinformation, polarisation and democracy. In the fulfilment of this mandate, the Commission shall coordinate its supervisory and monitoring efforts with those foreseen under the Digital Services Act, so as to achieve the best possible synergies. 2. The European Parliament through its competent committees may provide an opinion on an annual basis on the report by the Commission including proposals for market investigations into new services and new practices under Article 17. 3. The Commission shall reply in writing to the opinion adopted by the European Parliament as well as respond to any call for action concerning Article 17 therein, including providing justifications for foreseen inaction, and to any question addressed to it by the European Parliament or by the Council within five weeks of its receipt. 4. At the request of the European Parliament, the Commission shall participate in a hearing before the European Parliament. A hearing shall take place at least bi-annually. The respective Commissioner shall make a statement before the European Parliament and answer any questions from its members, whenever so requested. In addition, a continuous, high-level dialogue between the European Parliament and the Commission shall be ensured through exchanges which take place no less than four times a year.
Amendment 720 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 1
Article 31 – paragraph 1
1. The information collected pursuant to Articles 3, 12, 13, 19, 20 and 21 shall be used only for the purposes of this Regulation.
Amendment 721 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) allow end users to un-install any pre-installed software applications on its core platform service without prejudice to the possibility for a gatekeeper to restrict such un-installation in relation to software applications that are essential for the functioning of the operating system or of the device and which cannot technically be offered on a standalone basis by third-parties;
Amendment 721 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 2
Article 31 – paragraph 2
2. Without prejudice to the exchange and to the use of information provided for the purpose of use pursuant to Articles 12, 13, 32 and 33, the Commission, the authorities of the Member States, their officials, servants and other persons working under the supervision of these authorities and any natural or legal person, including auditors and experts appointed pursuant to Article 24(2), shall not disclose information acquired or exchanged by them pursuant to this Regulation and of the kind covered by the obligation of professional secrecy. This obligation shall also apply to all representatives and experts of Member States participating in any of the activities of the Digital Markets Advisory Committee pursuant to Article 32.
Amendment 731 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) allow the installation and effective use of third party software applications or software application stores or repositories using, or interoperating with, operating systems of that gatekeeper and allow these software applications or software application stores or repositories to be accessed by means other than the core platform services of that gatekeeper. The gatekeeper shall not be prevented from taking proportionate measures to ensure that third party software applications or software application stores do not endanger the integrity of the hardware or operating system provided by the gatekeeper;
Amendment 733 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 32 a (new)
Article 32 a (new)
Article 32 a Role of national competent authorities and coordination by the Commission 1. Member State shall designate a competent authority to monitor compliance with obligations laid down in this Regulation and report regularly to the Commission on compliance with this Regulation. 2. National competent authorities may provide, under the coordination of the Commission, support to a market investigation or proceeding pursuant to Article 7(2), 15, 16, 17, 19, 20 by collecting information and providing expertise or by collecting complaints to be transferred to the Commission. 3. When collecting sufficient evidence for designation of a gatekeeper, non- compliance with the obligations laid down in Articles 5 and 6 or need to add new obligations, national competent authorities shall request the opening of a market investigation in accordance with Article 33.
Amendment 737 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 1
Article 33 – paragraph 1
1. When threone or more Member States request the Commission to open an investigation pursuant to Article 15 because they consider that there are reasonable grounds to suspect that a provider of core platform services should be designated as a gatekeeper, the Commission shall within four months examine whether there are reasonable grounds to open such an investigation and adopt a decision. In case the Commission decides that there is no grounds for opening a market investigation, it shall publish a reasoned opinion.
Amendment 741 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 33 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. When one or more Member States request the Commission to open an investigation pursuant to Article 16 because they consider that there are reasonable grounds to suspect that a provider of core platform services fails to comply with its obligations under Article 5 and 6, the Commission shall within four months examine whether there are reasonable grounds to open such an investigation and adopt a decision. In case the Commission decides there is no grounds for opening a market investigation, it shall publish a reasoned opinion.
Amendment 742 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 1 b (new)
Article 33 – paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. When one or more Member States request the Commission to open an investigation pursuant to Article 17 because they consider that there are reasonable grounds to request new services or practices to fall under the scope of this Regulation, the Commission shall within four months examine whether there are reasonable grounds to open such an investigation and adopt a decision. In case the Commission decides there is no grounds for opening a market investigation, it shall publish a reasoned opinion.
Amendment 743 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 2
Article 33 – paragraph 2
2. Member States shall submit evidence in support of their request. Such evidence provided by competent national authorities shall notably include information allowing to determine the fairness of general access conditions to core platform services, including as regards revenue streams deriving from advertisement, and the distribution of appropriate shares of revenues to third party right holders.
Amendment 745 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 a (new)
Article 33 a (new)
Article 33 a Right to lodge complaints 1. Third parties representing business users or end users shall be entitled to lodge complaints with regard to the non- designation of gatekeepers and non- compliance by gatekeepers with their obligations in accordance with Article 3, 5 and 6 and request the opening of a market investigation pursuant to Article 15, 16, 17. They shall submit evidence in support of their request. 2. The Commission shall examine whether there are reasonable grounds to open such an investigation and inform the interested third parties of its decision within three months.
Amendment 746 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 b (new)
Article 33 b (new)
Article 33 b Amendment to Directive (EU) 2020/1828 The following point is added to the Annex I of Directive (EU) 2020/1828: '(67)Regulation (EU) 20XX/XXXX of the European Parliament and of the Council on contestable and fair markets in the digital sectors'
Amendment 747 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 34 – paragraph 1
Article 34 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall publish the decisions which it takes pursuant to Articles 3, 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23(1), 25, 26 and 27, 27, 33, and 33(a). Such publication shall state the names of the parties and the main content of the decision, including any penalties imposed, and a report stating the grounds for such a decision.
Amendment 751 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 36 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. The Commission may adopt implementing acts concerning: 3, 6, 7, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 20, 22, 23, 25 and 30
Amendment 752 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
Article 36 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
(b a) the technical specifications pursuant to Article 6a that the gatekeepers shall implement in order to comply with Article 6(f).
Amendment 754 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 2
Article 36 – paragraph 2
2. the practical arrangements for the cooperation and coordination between the Commission and Member States provided for in Article 1(7).Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 32(4). Before the adoption of any measures pursuant to paragraph 1, the Commission shall publish a draft thereof and invite all interested parties, including end user representatives and civil society, to submit their comments within the time limit it lays down, which may not be less than one month.
Amendment 759 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 38 – paragraph 3
Article 38 – paragraph 3
3. Member States shall provide any relevant information they have that the Commission may require for the purposes of drawing up the report referred to in paragraph 1. Among such information, data allowing to determine the fairness of general access conditions to platform services shall be examined, including as regards revenue streams deriving from advertisement, and the distribution of appropriate share of revenues to third party right holders.
Amendment 763 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) refrain from technically restricting the ability of end users to switch between and subscribe to different software applications and services to be accessed using the operating system of the gatekeeper, including as regards the choice of Internet access provider for end users;
Amendment 778 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point f
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) allow business users, end users and providers of ancillary servicesservices free of charge access to and interoperability with the same operating system, hardware or software features that are available or used in the provision by the gatekeeper of any ancillary services;
Amendment 788 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point g
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) provide advertisers and publishers, upon their request and free of charge, with access to the performance measuring tools of the gatekeeper for the purpose of digital advertising based on contextual information and the information necessary for advertisers and publishers to carry out their own independent verification of the ad inventory;
Amendment 793 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point h
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point h
(h) provide effective portability of data generated through the activity of a business user or end user and shall, in particular, provide tools for end users to facilitate the exercise ofeffective portability of the personal data relating to her or him, including personal data generated through her or his activity as end-user of the platform service data portability, in line with Regulation EU 2016/679, including by the provision of continuous and real-time access ;
Amendment 799 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point i
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point i
(i) provide business users, or third parties authorised by a business user, free of charge, with effective, high-quality, continuous and real-time access and use of aggregated or non-aggregated non- personal data, that is provided for or generated in the context of the use of the relevant core platform services by those business users and the end users engaging with the products or services provided by those business users; for personal data, provide access and use only where directly connected with the use effectuated by the end user in respect of the products or services offered by the relevant business user through the relevant core platform service, and when the end user opts in to such sharing with a consent in the sense of the Regulation (EU) 2016/679; ;
Amendment 807 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point j
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point j
(j) provide to any third party providers of online search engines, upon their request, with access on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms to ranking, query, click and view data in relation to free and paid search generated by end users on online search engines of the gatekeeper, subject to anonymisation for the query, click and view data that constitutes personal data provided that the gatekeepers able to demonstrate that anonymised query, click and view data have been adequately tested against possible re-identification risks;
Amendment 813 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point k
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point k
(k) apply transparent, fair and non- discriminatory general conditions of access for business users to its software application store designated pursuant to Article 3 of this Regulation. , and for business users SMEs on a given sectorial market to its online search engine and online social networking service designated pursuant to Article 3 of this Regulation;
Amendment 823 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point k a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point k a (new)
(k a) ensure that their services, including user interfaces, are accessible to persons with disabilities in accordance with Article 13 of Directive (EU) 2019/882. They shall also ensure that business users which rely on their core platform service to reach consumers for offering services and products in the scope of Directive (EU) 2019/882, comply with the requirements of Directive (EU) 2019/882;
Amendment 828 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point k b (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point k b (new)
(k b) refrain from deploying subliminal techniques beyond a person`s consciousness in order to materially distort a person`s behaviour in a manner that can lead that person towards making certain choices by appealing to psychological biases driven by intermediation bias;
Amendment 832 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point k c (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point k c (new)
(k c) refrain from limiting end users’ ability to directly access business users or other end-users services or websites outside of the gatekeepers’ ecosystem from the gatekeeper platform service.
Amendment 856 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2
Article 7 – paragraph 2
2. Where the Commission finds that the measures that the gatekeeper intends to implement pursuant to paragraph 1, or has implemented, do not ensure effective compliance with the relevant obligations laid down in Article 6, it mayshall by decision specify the measures that the gatekeeper concerned shall implement. The Commission shall adopt such a decision within six months from the opening of proceedings pursuant to Article 18. The decision shall be public.
Amendment 865 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3
Article 7 – paragraph 3
3. Paragraph 2 of this Article is without prejudice to the powers of the Commission under Articles 25, 26 and 27. In case of a non-compliance decision under Article 25 resulting in fines and penalties under Article 26, the period for non-compliance shall be presumed to start from the deadline set under Article 3(8).
Amendment 868 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 4
Article 7 – paragraph 4
4. In view of adopting the decision under paragraph 2, the Commission shall communicate to gatekeepers its preliminary findings within three months from the opening of the proceedings. In the preliminary findings, the Commission shall explain the measures it considers to take or it considers that the provider of core platform services concerned should take in order to effectively address the preliminary findings. The Commission may consult interested third parties demonstrating sufficient interest when drafting the preliminary findings. The preliminary findings shall be public.
Amendment 878 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 6 a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. For the purposes of specifying the obligations under Article 6(1) point (f),interoperability shall be defined by reference to the open technologies, open standards and open protocols, including the technical interface (Application Programming Interface), that allows end users of competing software and services and business users to dock on to the gatekeepers core service and to interoperate with it. Any processing of personal data by gatekeepers should comply with Regulation (EU) 2016/679, in particular articles 6(1)(a) and5(1)(c). Interoperability obligations shall not limit, hinder or delay the ability of intermediaries to address vulnerabilities in order to comply with an obligation under article 18 of COM(2020) 823 final or article 32(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679.
Amendment 880 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 6 b (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. The Commission shall adopt implementing act establishing the technical specifications referred to in article 7(6a new). Those technical specifications shall meet the interoperability requirements set out in article 6(1)(f) and article 7(6a new).
Amendment 886 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 7
Article 7 – paragraph 7
7. A gatekeeper may request within the time-limits set under Article 3(8) the opening of proceedings pursuant to Article 18 for the Commission to determine whether the measures that the gatekeeper intends to implement or has implemented under Article 6 are effective in achieving the objective of the relevant obligation in the specific circumstances. A gatekeeper may, with its request, provide a reasoned submission to explain in particular why the measures that it intends to implement or has implemented are effective in achieving the objective of the relevant obligation in the specific circumstances.
Amendment 887 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 7 a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. The powers granted to the Commission under this Article are without prejudice to the jurisdiction of national courts to ensure compliance with the obligations laid down in Articles 5 and 6 in legal proceedings between gatekeepers, business and end users, including in collective redress procedures pursuant to Directive (EU) 2020/18281a. _________________ 1aDirective (EU) 2020/1828 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2020 on representative actions for the protection of the collective interests of consumers and repealing Directive 2009/22/EC.
Amendment 916 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Article 10 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 34 to update the existing obligations laid down in Articles 5 and 6, and add obligations where, based on a market investigation pursuant to Article 17, it has identified the need for new obligations addressing practices that limit the contestability of core platform services or are unfair in the same way as the practices addressed by the obligations laid down in Articles 5 and 6.
Amendment 926 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) there is an imbalance of rights and obligations on business users and end users, and the gatekeeper is obtaining an advantage from business users that is disproportionate to the service provided by the gatekeeper toeither on business or end users; or
Amendment 933 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1
Article 11 – paragraph 1
1. A gatekeeper shall ensure that the obligations of Articles 5 and 6 are fully and effectively complied with. While the obligations of Articles 5 and 6 apply in respect of core platform services designated pursuant to Article 3, their implementation shall not be undermined by any behaviour of the undertaking to which the gatekeeper belongs, regardless of whether this behaviour is of a contractual, commercial, technical or any other nature, including product design, structure, function or manner of operation capable of influencing user choice and autonomy or through agreements with third party business partners of the gatekeepers.
Amendment 939 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2
Article 11 – paragraph 2
2. Where consent for collecting and processing of personal data is required to ensure compliance with this Regulation, a gatekeeper shall take the necessary steps to either enable business users to directly obtain the required consent to their processing, where required under Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and Directive 2002/58/EC, or to comply with Union data protection and privacy rules and principles in other ways including by providing business users with duly anonymised data where appropriate. The gatekeeper shall not make the obtaining of this consent by the business user more burdensome than for its own services including product design, structure, function or manner of operation capable of influencing user choice and autonomy or through agreements with third party business partners of the gatekeepers.
Amendment 951 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – title
Article 12 – title
12 Obligation to inform aboutPrior notification of concentrations
Amendment 956 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. A gatekeeper shall informnotify to the Commission of any intended concentration within the meaning of Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 involving another provider of core platform services or of any other services provided in the digital sector irrespective of whether it is notifiable to a Union competition authority under Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 or to a competent national competition authority under national merger rules.
Amendment 961 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
A gatekeeper shall informnotify the Commission of such a concentration prior to its implementation and following the conclusion of the agreement, the announcement of the public bid, or the acquisition of a controlling interest.
Amendment 964 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2
Article 12 – paragraph 2
2. The notification pursuant to paragraph 1 shall at least describe for the acquisition targets their EEA and worldwide annual turnover, for any relevant core platform services their respective EEA annual turnover, their number of yearly active business users and the number of monthly active end users, the categories of personal data they process, as well as the rationale of the intended concentration.
Amendment 966 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The Commission should assess the impact on any intended concentration on the contestability of markets by taking into account, inter alia, the elements laid down in Article 3(6). If, following this assessment, it is demonstrated that a concentration would weaken the contestability of markets, the Commission shall impose proportionate behavioural or structural remedies to ensure compliance with this Regulation.
Amendment 967 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 3
Article 12 – paragraph 3
3. If, following any concentration as provided in paragraph 1, it is demonstrated that additional core platform services individually satisfy the thresholds in point (b) of Article 3(2), the gatekeeper concerned shall inform the Commission thereof within three months from the implementation of the concentration and provide the Commission with the information referred to in Article 3(2).
Amendment 971 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1
Article 13 – paragraph 1
Within six months after its designation pursuant to Article 3, a gatekeeper shall submit to the Commission an independently audited description of any techniques for profiling of consumers that the gatekeeper applies to or across its core platform services identified pursuant to Article 3. This description shall be updated at least annually. The Commission shall develop, in consultation with the EU Data Protection Supervisor, the European Data Protection Board, civil society and experts, the standards and process of the audit. The audited description, as well as any relevant materials that is collected in the context of supervising the gatekeepers that relate to the processing of personal data, shall be shared by the Commission with any competent supervisory authority represented in the European Data Protection Board, upon its request.
Amendment 984 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1
Article 15 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission may conduct a market investigation for the purpose of examining whether a provider of core platform services should be designated as a gatekeeper pursuant to Article 3(6), or in order to identify core platform services for a gatekeeper pursuant to Article 3(7). It shall endeavour to conclude its investigation by adopting a decision in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 32(4) within twelvesix months from the opening of the market investigation.
Amendment 989 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2
Article 15 – paragraph 2
2. In the course of a market investigation pursuant to paragraph 1, the Commission shall endeavour to communicate its preliminary findings to the provider of core platform services concerned within sixthree months from the opening of the investigation. In the preliminary findings, the Commission shall explain whether it considers, on a provisional basis, that the provider of core platform services should be designated as a gatekeeper pursuant to Article 3(6).
Amendment 992 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 3
Article 15 – paragraph 3
Amendment 998 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 4
Article 15 – paragraph 4
4. When the Commission pursuant to Article 3(6) designates as a gatekeeper a provider of core platform services that does not yet enjoy an entrenched and durable position in its operations, but it is foreseeable that it will enjoy such a position in the near future based on a notification in line with Article 12(1), it shall declare applicable to that gatekeeper only obligations laid down in Article 5(b) and Article 6(1) points (e), (f), (h) and (i) as specified in the designation decision. The Commission shall only declare applicable those obligations that are appropriate and necessary to prevent that the gatekeeper concerned achieves by unfair means an entrenched and durable position in its operations. The Commission shall review such a designation in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 4.
Amendment 1003 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – title
Article 16 – title
16 Market investigation into systematic non-compliance or concentration that weakens the contestability of markets
Amendment 1011 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1
Article 16 – paragraph 1
1. Where the market investigation shows that a gatekeeper has systematically infringed the obligations laid down in Articles 5 and 6 and has further strengthened or extended its gatekeeper position in relatior where the Commission assesses under Article 12 that any intended concentration has an adverse impact on to the characteristics under Article 3(1)ontestability of markets, the Commission mayshall by decision adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 32(4) impose on such gatekeeper any behavioural or structural remedies which are proportionate to the infringement committed and necessary to ensure compliance with this Regulation. The Commission shall conclude its investigation by adopting a decision within twelvesix months from the opening of the market investigation.
Amendment 1016 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 2
Article 16 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission may onlyalso impose structural remedies pursuant to paragraph 1 either where thwhere it consideres is no equallyt more effective than behavioural remedy or where any equally effective behavioural remedy would be more burdensome for the gatekeeper concerned than the structural remedy.ies in ensuring compliance with the obligations laid down in articles 5 and 6. Such structural remedies may include: - separation of business units; - unbundling and horizontal division of services; - changes to the gatekeeper’s financing model; - disgorging financial benefits to end- users;
Amendment 1021 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 3
Article 16 – paragraph 3
3. A gatekeeper shall be deemed to have engaged in a systematic non- compliance with the obligations laid down in Articles 5 and 6, whereas soon as the Commission has issued at least threewo non- compliance or fining decisions pursuant to Articles 25 and 26 respectively against a gatekeeper in relation to any of its core platform services within a period of five years prior to the adoption of the decision opening a market investigation in view of the possible adoption of a decision pursuant to this Articleten years.
Amendment 1026 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 4
Article 16 – paragraph 4
Amendment 1031 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 5
Article 16 – paragraph 5
5. The Commission shall communicate its objections to the gatekeeper concerned within sixthree months from the opening of the investigation. In its objections, the Commission shall explain whether it preliminarily considers that the conditions of paragraph 1 are met and which remedy or remedies it preliminarily considers necessary and proportionate.
Amendment 1065 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 1
Article 22 – paragraph 1
1. In case of urgency due to the risk of serious and irreparable damage for business users or end users of gatekeepers, imminent threats to the fairness and contestability of markets or the general considerations laid out in Article 1(1), the Commission may, by decision adopt in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 32(4), order interim measures against a gatekeeper on the basis of a prima facie finding of an infringement of Articles 5 or 6.
Amendment 1068 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 2
Article 22 – paragraph 2
2. A decision pursuant to paragraph 1 may only be adopted in the context of proceedings opened in view of the possible adoption of a decision of non-compliance pursuant to Article 25(1). This decision shall apply for a specified period of time and may be renewed in so far this is necessary and appropriate.
Amendment 1075 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 2 – point a a (new)
Article 23 – paragraph 2 – point a a (new)
(aa) the measures proposed by the gatekeeper have proven ineffective to ensure compliance with the obligations of Article 5 and 6;
Amendment 1078 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 1
Article 24 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission mayshall take the necessary actions to monitor the effective implementation and compliance with the obligations laid down in Articles 5 and 6 and the decisions taken pursuant to Articles 7, 16, 22 and 23.
Amendment 1086 #
The Commission shall adopt its decision within six months from the opening of a proceeding.
Amendment 1088 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 3
Article 25 – paragraph 3
3. In the non-compliance decision adopted pursuant to paragraph 1, the Commission shall order the gatekeeper to cease and desist with the non-compliance within an appropriate deadline and to provide eximpose any appropriate remedies to ensure effective complianations on how it plans to comply with the decisce with the obligations laid down under Articles 5 and 6 and restore contestability and fairness on the markets in line with this Regulation.
Amendment 1094 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 4
Article 25 – paragraph 4
4. The gatekeeper shall provide the Commission with the description of the measures it took to ensure compliance with the decision adopted pursuant to paragraph 1. In case the non compliance persists following a review of the measures taken by the gatekeeper, the Commission shall propose amendments to these measures to ensure full compliance with obligations laid down under Articles 5 and 6.
Amendment 1117 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 1
Article 28 – paragraph 1
1. The powers conferred on the Commission by Articles 26 and 27 shall be subject to a threfive year limitation period.
Amendment 1125 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 30 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Amendment 1127 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 2
Article 30 – paragraph 2
Amendment 1129 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 3
Article 30 – paragraph 3
3. The Commission shall base its decisions only on objections on which gatekeepers, undertakings and, associations of undertakings concerned and interested third-parties have been able to comment.
Amendment 1132 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 a (new)
Article 30 a (new)
Article 30 a Accountability 1. The Commission shall adopt an annual report on the state of the digital economy. This report shall provide an analysis of the market position, influence and business models of the gatekeepers in the common market. The report shall include a summary of its activities, in particular supervisory measures adopted under Chapter II and IV of this Regulation as well as an assessment on whether competition rules, the provisions of this Regulation (and Regulation XX/2021 Digital Services Act) and current enforcement levels are adequate to address anticompetitive conduct and ensure the contestability and fairness of digital markets. This annual report shall also include a social impact assessment, which assesses new digital products and services and their potential impact on mental health, user behaviour, disinformation, polarisation and democracy. In the fulfilment of this mandate, the Commission should coordinate its supervisory and monitoring efforts with those foreseen under the Digital Services Act, so as to achieve the best possible synergies. 2. The European Parliament through its competent committees may provide an opinion on an annual basis on the report by the Commission. 3. The Commission shall reply in writing to the opinion adopted by the European Parliament and to any question addressed to it by the European Parliament or by the Council within five weeks of its receipt. 4. At the request of the European Parliament, the Commission shall participate in a hearing before the European Parliament. A hearing shall take place at least bi-annually. The respective Commissioner shall make a statement before the European Parliament and answer any questions from its members, whenever so requested. In addition, a continuous, high-level dialogue between the European Parliament and the Commission shall be ensured through exchanges which take place no less than four times a year.
Amendment 1133 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 1
Article 31 – paragraph 1
1. The information collected pursuant to Articles 3, 12, 13, 19, 20 and 21 shall be used only for the purposes of this Regulation.
Amendment 1138 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 2
Article 31 – paragraph 2
2. Without prejudice to the exchange and to the use of information provided for the purpose of use pursuant to Articles 12, 13, 32 and 33, the Commission, the authorities of the Member States, their officials, servants and other persons working under the supervision of these authorities and any natural or legal person, including auditors and experts appointed pursuant to Article 24(2), shall not disclose information acquired or exchanged by them pursuant to this Regulation and of the kind covered by the obligation of professional secrecy. This obligation shall also apply to all representatives and experts of Member States participating in any of the activities of the Digital Markets Advisory Committee pursuant to Article 32.
Amendment 1151 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 32 a (new)
Article 32 a (new)
Article 32 a Role of national competent authorities and coordination by the Commission 1. Member State shall designate a competent authority to monitor compliance with obligations laid down in this Regulation and report regularly to the Commission on compliance with this Regulation. 2. National competent authorities may provide, under the coordination of the Commission, support to a market investigation or proceeding pursuant to Article 7(2), 15, 16, 17, 19, 20 by collecting information and providing expertise or by collecting complaints to be transferred to the Commission. 3. When collecting sufficient evidence for designation of a gatekeeper, non- compliance with the obligations laid down in Articles 5 and 6 or need to add new obligations, national competent authorities shall request the opening of a market investigation in accordance with Article 33.
Amendment 1156 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 1
Article 33 – paragraph 1
1. When threone or more Member States request the Commission to open an investigation pursuant to Article 15 because they consider that there are reasonable grounds to suspect that a provider of core platform services should be designated as a gatekeeper, the Commission shall within four months examine whether there are reasonable grounds to open such an investigation and adopt a decision. In case the Commission decides that there is no grounds for opening a market investigation, it shall publish a reasoned opinion.
Amendment 1162 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 33 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. When one or more Member States request the Commission to open an investigation pursuant to Article 16 because they consider that there are reasonable grounds to suspect that a provider of core platform services fails to comply with its obligations under Article 5 and 6, the Commission shall within four months examine whether there are reasonable grounds to open such an investigation and adopt a decision. In case the Commission decides that there is no grounds for opening a market investigation, it shall publish a reasoned opinion
Amendment 1164 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 1 b (new)
Article 33 – paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. When one or more Member States request the Commission to open an investigation pursuant to Article 17 because they consider that there are reasonable grounds to request new services or practices to fall under the scope of this Regulation, the Commission shall within four months examine whether there are reasonable grounds to open such an investigation and adopt a decision. In case the Commission decides there is no grounds for opening a market investigation, it shall publish a reasoned opinion.
Amendment 1170 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 2
Article 33 – paragraph 2
2. Member States shall submit evidence in support of their request. Such evidence provided by competent national authorities shall notably include information allowing to determine the fairness of general access conditions to core platform services, including as regards revenue streams deriving from advertisement, and the distribution of appropriate shares of revenues to third party right holders.
Amendment 1175 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 a (new)
Article 33 a (new)
Article 33 a Right to lodge complaints 1. Third parties representing business users or end users shall be entitled to lodge complaints with regard to the non- designation of gatekeepers and non- compliance by gatekeepers with their obligations in accordance with Article 3, 5 and 6 and request the opening of a market investigation pursuant to Article 15, 16, 17. They shall submit evidence in support of their request. 2. The Commission shall examine whether there are reasonable grounds to open such an investigation and inform the interested third parties of its decision within three months.
Amendment 1179 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 b (new)
Article 33 b (new)
Article 33 b Amendment to Directive (EU) 2020/1828 The following point is added to the Annex I of Directive (EU) 2020/1828: '(67)Regulation (EU) 20XX/XXXX of the European Parliament and of the Council on contestable and fair markets in the digital sectors'
Amendment 1181 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 34 – paragraph 1
Article 34 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall publish the decisions which it takes pursuant to Articles 3, 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23(1), 25, 26 and 27, 27, 33, and 33(a). Such publication shall state the names of the parties and the main content of the decision, including any penalties imposed, and a report stating the grounds for such a decision.
Amendment 1198 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 38 – paragraph 3
Article 38 – paragraph 3
3. Member States shall provide any relevant information they have that the Commission may require for the purposes of drawing up the report referred to in paragraph 1. Among such information, data allowing to determine the fairness of general access conditions to platform services should be examined, including as regards revenue streams deriving from advertisement, and the distribution of appropriate share of revenues to third party right holders.