BETA

Awaiting Parliament 1st reading / single reading / budget 1st stage



Activites

  • 2017/06/15 Vote in plenary scheduled
  • 2017/06/14 Debate in plenary scheduled
  • 2017/05/31 Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
  • 2017/05/18 Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
  • 2016/11/24 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
  • 2016/05/25 Non-legislative basic document published
    • COM(2016)0288 summary

Documents

AmendmentsDossier
543 2016/2276(INI)
2017/03/27 ITRE, IMCO 462 amendments...
source: 602.752
2017/04/07 JURI 81 amendments...
source: 602.771

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

activities/3/docs/0/text
  • The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy and the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection adopted an own-initiative report by Henna VIRKKUNEN (EPP, FI) and Philippe JUVIN (EPP, FR) on online platforms and the digital single market.

    The report has been adopted pursuant to Rule 55 of the Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament (Joint committee meetings).

    Members noted that the evolving development and use of internet platforms for a wide set of activities, including commercial activities and sharing goods and services, have changed the ways in which users and companies interact with content providers, traders and other individuals offering goods and services.

    However, online platforms present new policy and regulatory challenges. 

    While welcoming the different initiatives already proposed under the Digital Single Market Strategy for Europe, Members stressed the importance of coordination and consistency between these initiatives. Although many EU policies also apply to online platforms, in some cases the legislation is not enforced properly or is interpreted in a different manner in the Member States. In this respect, Members called for an effective and attractive regulatory environment for the development of online and digital business in Europe.

    Definition of platforms: the report stated that one single EU definition or ‘one size fits all’ approach would not help the EU succeed in the platform economy due to factors such as the great variety of types of existing online platforms and their areas of activity, as well as the fast-changing environment of the digital world.

    Members are aware of the importance of avoiding the fragmentation of the EU internal market which could occur through a proliferation of regional or national rules and definitions, as well as of the need to provide certainty and a level playing field for both businesses and consumers.

    Therefore, they called for online platforms to be distinguished and defined in relevant sector-specific legislation at EU level according to their characteristics, classifications and principles and following a problem-driven approach.

    The report welcomed the Commission's ongoing work on online platforms, including consultations of stakeholders and carrying out an impact assessment. It called on it to propose, if necessary, regulatory or other measures based on this in-depth analysis.

    Members considered that a clear difference should be made between B2C and B2B platforms, in light of the emerging B2B online platforms which are key to the development of the industrial internet, such as cloud-based services or data-sharing platforms enabling communication between internet of things (IoT) products. The Commission should address the barriers in the single market that are hindering the growth of such platforms.

    Fair competition: the report stressed the importance of fair and effective competition between online platforms in order to promote consumer choice and avoid the creation of monopolies or dominant positions that distort markets. There is a need for net neutrality and fair and non-discriminatory access to online platforms as a prerequisite for innovation and a truly competitive market. The Commission is urged to streamline the funding schemes for related initiatives facilitating the digitisation process.

    Clarifying the liability of intermediaries: the report noted that the current EU intermediary limited liability regime is one of the issues raised by certain stakeholders and that it should be further clarified. Guidance is needed from the Commission on the implementation of the intermediary liability framework in order to allow online platforms to comply with their responsibilities and the rules on liability, enhance legal certainty, and increase user confidence.

    The Commission is called on to develop further steps to that effect, recalling that platforms not playing a neutral role as defined in the e-commerce Directive cannot claim liability exemption.

    Members urged online platforms to strengthen measures to tackle illegal and harmful content online and welcomed the Commission's intention to propose measures for video-sharing platforms in order to protect minors and for taking down content related to hate speech.

    They considered that the liability rules for online platforms should allow the tackling of issues related to illegal content and goods in an efficient manner, for instance by applying due diligence while maintaining a balanced and innovation-friendly approach.

    They also stressed the importance of taking action against the dissemination of fake news and called on the online platforms to provide users with tools to denounce fake news in such a way that other users can be informed that the veracity of the content has been contested.

    The Commission is called on to analyse in depth the current situation and legal framework with regard to fake news, and to verify the possibility of legislative intervention to limit the dissemination and spreading of fake content.

    Moreover, Members stressed the need for online platforms to combat illegal goods and content and unfair practices (e.g. the reselling of entertainment tickets at extortionate prices), through regulatory measures complemented by effective self-regulatory measures (e.g. through clear terms of use and appropriate mechanisms to identify repeat offenders, or by setting up specialised content moderation teams and tracing dangerous products) or hybrid measures.

    As regards data ownership, the report noted that compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Network and Information Security (NIS) Directive is essential. There is a need to inform users of the exact nature of the data collected and the ways it will be used.

    Informing and empowering citizens and consumers: the report underlined that the internet of the future cannot succeed without users' trust in online platforms. Online platforms are encouraged to offer customers clear, comprehensive and fair terms and conditions and ensure user-friendly ways of presenting their terms and conditions, processing of data, legal and commercial guarantees and possible costs.

    Lastly, Members called for an assessment of current legislation and self-regulation mechanisms in order to determine whether they provide adequate protection to users, consumers and businesses, against the backdrop of an increasing number of complaints and the investigations opened by the Commission into several platforms.

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  • PURPOSE: to present a targeted approach in order to respond to questions related to online platforms.

    BACKGROUND: in its communication setting out a strategy for the digital single market, the Commission committed itself to undertaking a comprehensive assessment of the role of platforms, including in the sharing economy, and of online intermediaries.

    Online platforms play a key role in innovation and growth in the Digital Single Market. They have revolutionised access to information and have connected buyers and sellers in a better and more efficient way. The growing importance of the digital economy linked with the diversity and fast changing nature of platform ecosystems also raise new policy and regulatory challenges.

    A number of globally competitive platforms originated in Europe, for example Skyscanner and BlaBlaCar. However, on the whole, the EU currently represents only 4% of the total market capitalisation of the largest online platforms: the vast majority of platforms originate in the US and Asia.

    Creating the right framework conditions and the right environment is essential to retain, grow and foster the emergence of new online platforms in Europe.

    CONTENT: based on the results of a wide-ranging public consultation, the Commission Communication: (i) outlines the key issues identified in the assessment of online platforms; (ii) presents the Commission’s position on both the innovation opportunities and the regulatory challenges presented by online platforms, and sets out its approach to supporting their further development in Europe.

    This communication underlines the need to adopt policy and regulatory approaches that respond directly to the challenges, and which are flexible and future-proof. Where appropriate, self-regulation and co-regulation can often achieve better outcomes for enabling the development of strong platform ecosystems in Europe and can complement or reinforce the existing legislation that already governs certain activities of online platforms.

    As a general rule, when elaborating responses to issues related to online platforms, the Commission will take the following principles into account:

    1) A level playing field for comparable digital services: many online platforms have challenged conventional business models. Yet these new services are not subject to the same rules as traditional telecommunications services.

    As a general principle, comparable digital services should be subject to the same or similar rules, duly considering opportunities for reducing the scope and extent of existing regulation. To achieve a level playing field, there may be a need to simplify, modernise and lighten existing regulation, but avoid imposing a disproportionate burden on new as well as traditional business models.

    The Commission will apply these principles to the current reviews of the EU telecoms rules and as part of the review of the ePrivacy Directive in 2016, for example when it reviews rules relating to confidentiality regarding OTT online communications services.

    (2) Responsible behaviour of online platforms: compared with 2010, children aged 11 to 16 are now up to 20% more likely to be exposed to hate messages. Children are also more easily exposed to adult material online, often with unrestricted access. As of July 2015, more than 400 hours of video content was uploaded to YouTube every minute. Rights holders across several content sectors claimed that their content is used by some online platforms without authorisation.

    The dialogue with IT companies towards a code of conduct on illegal hate speech online, the EU Internet Forum on terrorism content and the CEO Coalition to make the internet a better place for children are important examples of multi-stakeholder engagement processes aimed at finding common solutions to voluntarily detect and fight illegal or harmful material online.

    The Commission will maintain the existing intermediary liability regime. It intends to:

    • suggest, in its proposal for an updated Audio-visual Media Services Directive, that video sharing platforms put in place measures to protect minors from harmful content and to protect everyone from incitement to hatred;
    • achieve, in the next copyright package, a fairer allocation of value generated by the online distribution of copyright protected content;
    • encourage coordinated EU-wide self regulatory efforts by online platforms;
    • explore the need for guidance on the liability of online platforms when putting in place voluntary, good-faith measures to fight illegal content online;
    • review the need for formal notice-and-action procedures.

    3) Confidence, transparency and fairness: a 2016 Eurobarometer survey on online platforms showed that 72% of responding consumers were concerned about the data collected about them or their activities. Over 75% of respondents among the general public consider that more transparency is needed, in particular on how platform remuneration influences the listing of search engine results, on identification of the actual supplier of services or products, and on possible misleading practices including fake reviews.

    Commission action will focus on:

    • a legislative proposal revising the Regulation on Consumer Protection Cooperation, to facilitate more efficient enforcement of EU consumer law in cross-border situations;
    • the review of the guidance on the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive, an update of existing consumer protection rules in relation to platforms, and  monitoring the implementation of the principles for comparison tools ;
    • encouraging online platforms to recognise other electronic identification (eID) means that offer the same reassurance as their own.

    4) Safeguarding a fair and innovation-friendly business environment: the Commission will carry out a targeted fact-finding exercise on B2B practices in the online platforms environment, e.g. (voluntary) dispute resolution mechanisms, transparency and better information measures or guidance. In particular, the Commission will engage closely with stakeholders and public authorities. By spring 2017, the Commission will determine whether additional EU action is needed.

    5) Keeping markets open and non-discriminatory to foster a data-driven economy: as part of the ‘free flow of data’ initiative scheduled for the end of 2016, the Commission will consider options for effective approaches, including technical standards, to facilitate switching and portability of data among different online platform and cloud computing services, both for business and private users.

    The Commission considers it important to ensure that future developments of digital technologies remain open.

activities
  • date: 2016-05-25T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2016/0288/COM_COM(2016)0288_EN.pdf title: COM(2016)0288 type: Non-legislative basic document published celexid: CELEX:52016DC0288:EN body: EC commission: type: Non-legislative basic document published
  • date: 2016-11-24T00:00:00 body: EP type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Employment and Social Affairs committee: EMPL body: EP shadows: group: S&D name: BLANCO LÓPEZ José group: S&D name: GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO Sergio group: ECR name: DALTON Daniel group: ECR name: VAN BOSSUYT Anneleen group: ALDE name: KALLAS Kaja group: ALDE name: MLINAR Angelika group: GUE/NGL name: DE JONG Dennis group: GUE/NGL name: MATIAS Marisa group: Verts/ALE name: REIMON Michel group: EFD name: BORRELLI David responsible: True committee: IMCO date: 2016-06-17T00:00:00 2016-06-17T00:00:00 committee_full: Internal Market and Consumer Protection rapporteur: group: EPP name: JUVIN Philippe group: EPP name: VIRKKUNEN Henna body: EP shadows: group: S&D name: BLANCO LÓPEZ José group: S&D name: GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO Sergio group: ECR name: DALTON Daniel group: ECR name: VAN BOSSUYT Anneleen group: ALDE name: KALLAS Kaja group: ALDE name: MLINAR Angelika group: GUE/NGL name: DE JONG Dennis group: GUE/NGL name: MATIAS Marisa group: Verts/ALE name: REIMON Michel group: EFD name: BORRELLI David responsible: True committee: ITRE date: 2016-06-17T00:00:00 2016-06-17T00:00:00 committee_full: Industry, Research and Energy rapporteur: group: EPP name: JUVIN Philippe group: EPP name: VIRKKUNEN Henna body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Regional Development committee: REGI
committees
  • body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Employment and Social Affairs committee: EMPL
  • body: EP shadows: group: S&D name: BLANCO LÓPEZ José group: S&D name: GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO Sergio group: ECR name: DALTON Daniel group: ECR name: VAN BOSSUYT Anneleen group: ALDE name: KALLAS Kaja group: ALDE name: MLINAR Angelika group: GUE/NGL name: DE JONG Dennis group: GUE/NGL name: MATIAS Marisa group: Verts/ALE name: REIMON Michel group: EFD name: BORRELLI David responsible: True committee: IMCO date: 2016-06-17T00:00:00 2016-06-17T00:00:00 committee_full: Internal Market and Consumer Protection rapporteur: group: EPP name: JUVIN Philippe group: EPP name: VIRKKUNEN Henna
  • body: EP shadows: group: S&D name: BLANCO LÓPEZ José group: S&D name: GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO Sergio group: ECR name: DALTON Daniel group: ECR name: VAN BOSSUYT Anneleen group: ALDE name: KALLAS Kaja group: ALDE name: MLINAR Angelika group: GUE/NGL name: DE JONG Dennis group: GUE/NGL name: MATIAS Marisa group: Verts/ALE name: REIMON Michel group: EFD name: BORRELLI David responsible: True committee: ITRE date: 2016-06-17T00:00:00 2016-06-17T00:00:00 committee_full: Industry, Research and Energy rapporteur: group: EPP name: JUVIN Philippe group: EPP name: VIRKKUNEN Henna
  • body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Regional Development committee: REGI
links
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    procedure
    dossier_of_the_committee
    CJ18/8/08311
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    2016/2276(INI)
    title
    Online platforms and the digital single market
    legal_basis
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    Awaiting committee decision
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