• About Us
  • Our Practice Areas
    • Banking & Financial Services
    • Competition & Antitrust
    • Digital & Tech
    • EU & International
    • Food & Drink
    • Green Transition
    • Healthcare, Life Sciences & Wellbeing
    • Trade & Investment (including EU-UK)
    • Transport, Travel & Logistics
  • Our Team
    • FIPRA International
    • Special Advisors
  • FIPRA Network
  • Latest News
  • Events
  • Careers
Skip to content

FIPRA

Search for:
Analysis

Advancing the EU’s digital policy: four new initiatives to monitor in 2022

By Matteo Vittori
Friday, 21 January 2022
Advancing the EU’s digital policy: four new initiatives to monitor in 2022

2022 is set to be a defining year for the EU’s digital policy. Coming to the halfway point of its mandate, the European Commission will be seeking to complete its legislative push on one of its top priorities. Several proposals are already on the table, yet work remains to be done across important areas, including data policy, semiconductors and cybersecurity. Crucial questions remain over the best course of policy action. Pressure to act fast is mounting to get flagship initiatives over the line before the legislature ends in 2024. Much of the Commission’s success in terms of digital leadership will be determined over the coming 12 months.

2022 is set to be a defining year for the EU’s digital policy. Several proposals are already on the table, yet work remains to be done across important areas.

Matteo Vittori, Account Manager

Here below, we examine four legislative proposals expected this year, and what they might mean for European businesses.

  • Data Act

After initially stumbling at the first hurdle with a negative opinion from the Commission’s Regulatory Scrutiny Board, the Data Act, originally planned to be released in December 2021, is now expected in February 2022. The Act will be a horizontal framework for data sharing affecting companies across the whole economy, beyond the media and technology sectors. With the declared intent of promoting “fairness in the data economy” through greater data sharing and use, the Act is expected to focus on business and industrial data and establish rules for how this data might be shared with governments and among businesses alike. For example, it might compel companies to make data available for public interest purposes, under certain situations. It is also regarded as a potential ‘ex-ante’ competition tool in business-to-business contexts, as it would seek to prevent distortions to competition by addressing situations of dominance through the control of data. Potential requirements for cloud service providers to facilitate data portability and a review of the current intellectual property rules are foreseen, too. As the Commission finalises the text, the main challenge will be to craft a framework that can apply and remain adaptable to sectors as diverse as mobility, health and financial services.

  • The Chips Act

Announced by European Commission President von der Leyen as an attempt to make Europe “bold again”, the Chips Act is intended to boost the EU’s capacity on semiconductors. It is expected to introduce measures to better anticipate disruptions of the supply chain, create the right investment conditions, and promote Europe’s research and design in semiconductors. At a time when global supply is struggling to meet the growing demand for chips and semiconductors, the idea supports Europe’s quest for digital sovereignty – the idea that Europe should be more independent from the rest of the world by exerting more control over what are regarded as strategic assets, such as semiconductors. However, the main challenge for the Commission will be to pool sufficient resources and address structural problems, such as access to critical raw materials that are mined overseas. Though the initiative had previously been planned for June 2022 by the Commission, Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton recently announced his intention to present the Chips Act in early 2022.

  • Cybersecurity

Seen as a priority by the Commission, the upcoming Cyber Resilience Act planned for Q3 2022 will complement the EU’s cybersecurity rules. The Act will establish common cybersecurity standards for connected devices. It remains unclear however what the exact scope would be – for example, whether connected cars would fall in scope – as well as how it would interact with existing EU cybersecurity legislation, most notably the Directive on security of Network and Information Systems (NIS) currently being negotiated in trilogue meetings between the European Parliament, Council and Commission. Achieving greater clarity on both aspects will be crucial for businesses throughout the legislative process.

  • Media Freedom Act

To safeguard media freedom and independence, ensure consistent standards for media companies, and promote fair competition in the media market across the EU, the Commission will propose a European Media Freedom Act in June 2022. Partly in response to increasing concerns over media freedom and pluralism in Eastern Europe, the idea is to strengthen the EU’s monitoring and sanctioning power to safeguard press freedom and independence. Policy options contemplated by the Commission include common principles for national scrutiny procedures of media market transactions and other restrictions to market entry and operation of the media, and principles to protect editorial independence and transparency in the allocation of state resources in the media sector. The Commission is currently seeking stakeholders’ input on the initiative until 21 March 2022.

The coming months will be crucial for the future of the EU’s digital policy. For the Commission, it will be about defending and pushing through new legislative initiatives while advancing several ongoing negotiations.

MATTEO VITTORI, ACCOUNT MANAGER

The coming months will be crucial for the future of the EU’s digital policy. For the Commission, it will be about defending and pushing through new legislative initiatives while advancing several ongoing negotiations, including on important proposals such as the Digital Services and Markets Acts, the Artificial Intelligence Act, the review of the NIS Directive, and those touching on the digitalisation of other sectors, such as transport and mobility. For businesses, the ultimate challenge will be to remain abreast of relevant developments, maintain sight of policy priorities in busy times, and understand the impact of upcoming legislation and its interaction with an already dense regulatory environment affecting the technology sector.

 – Written by Matteo Vittori with contributions from Alexia Cosmello Guisande

Want to learn more?

FIPRA’s Digital & Tech Practice has expertise in all relevant aspects, including data policy, cybersecurity, data privacy, platform regulations, trade, and intellectual property. See more on our webpage here.

Written by
Matteo Vittori
Account Director
Profile
Digital & Tech
Digital & Tech
FIPRA’s Digital & Tech Practice supports and helps organisations in navigating the EU’s rapidly-evolving policy and regulatory landscape.
More
Latest News
  • Analysis
    European Parliament’s New Year Resolution: build a powerful but child-friendly online gaming industry
    19 January 2023
  • Analysis
    Drone Strategy 2.0: A vision for the future, actions for today
    12 December 2022
  • Analysis
    Connected but vulnerable: the EU’s plans to ramp-up cybersecurity standards 
    28 October 2022
  • Analysis
    A Forward Look: EU Green Deal key initiatives and their role in securing a green transition  
    3 October 2022
  • FIPRA Network
    Italy general election 2022
    26 September 2022
Some of our experts
  • Derk  Oldenburg
    Derk Oldenburg
    Special Advisor - Telecoms, Transport, Institutional EU Affairs
  • Detlef  Eckert
    Detlef Eckert
    Special Advisor - Digital Policies & Transformation
  • Phil Evans
    Phil Evans
    Special Advisor - Competition & Antitrust, International Trade
  • Georg Serentschy
    Georg Serentschy
    Special Advisor - Digital Economy, Telecoms
  • Jan Ahlskog
    Jan Ahlskog
    Senior Director - Food, Industrials, Chemicals & Environment
  • FIPRA in Argentina
    FIPRA in Argentina
    is known locally as InfoMedia Consulting
    FIPRA in Argentina
  • FIPRA in Australia
    FIPRA in Australia
    is known locally as Richardson Coutts
    FIPRA in Australia
  • FIPRA in Austria
    FIPRA in Austria
    is known locally as Mastermind Public Affairs Consulting
    FIPRA in Austria
  • FIPRA in Belgium
    FIPRA in Belgium
    is known locally as Greenlane Public Affair
    FIPRA in Belgium
  • FIPRA in Brazil
    FIPRA in Brazil
    is known locally as JG Assis de Almeida & Associados
    FIPRA in Brazil
  • FIPRA in Canada
    FIPRA in Canada
    is known locally as Earnscliffe Strategy Group
    FIPRA in Canada
  • FIPRA in China
    FIPRA in China
    is known locally as Yuan Associates
    FIPRA in China
  • FIPRA in Croatia
    FIPRA in Croatia
    is known locally as Vlahovic Group
    FIPRA in Croatia
  • FIPRA in Czech Republic
    FIPRA in Czech Republic
    is known locally as PAN Solutions
    FIPRA in Czech Republic
  • FIPRA in Denmark
    FIPRA in Denmark
    is known locally as European Advisers
  • FIPRA in Estonia
    FIPRA in Estonia
    is known locally as META Advisory Group
    FIPRA in Estonia
  • FIPRA in France
    FIPRA in France
    is known locally as Cabinet Samman
    FIPRA in France
  • FIPRA in Georgia
    FIPRA in Georgia
    is known locally as BGI Advisory Services Group
    FIPRA in Georgia
  • FIPRA in Germany
    FIPRA in Germany
    is known locally as Miller & Meier Consulting
    FIPRA in Germany
  • FIPRA in Greece
    FIPRA in Greece
    is known locally as One Team S.A
    FIPRA in Greece
  • FIPRA in Hungary
    FIPRA in Hungary
    is known locally as CEC Group
    FIPRA in Hungary
  • FIPRA in India
    FIPRA in India
    is known locally as Chase India
    FIPRA in India
  • FIPRA in Ireland
    FIPRA in Ireland
    is known locally as Vulcan Consulting
    FIPRA in Ireland
  • FIPRA in Italy
    FIPRA in Italy
    is known locally as Telos A&S
    FIPRA in Italy
  • FIPRA in Japan
    FIPRA in Japan
    is known locally as GR Japan
    FIPRA in Japan
  • FIPRA in Korea
    FIPRA in Korea
    is known locally as FIPRA Korea
  • FIPRA in Latvia
    FIPRA in Latvia
    is known locally as Meta Advisory
    FIPRA in Latvia
  • FIPRA in Luxembourg
    FIPRA in Luxembourg
    is known locally as Huggard Consulting Group
    FIPRA in Luxembourg
  • FIPRA in Malta
    FIPRA in Malta
    is known locally as Maritimus Company Limited
    FIPRA in Malta
  • FIPRA in Mexico
    FIPRA in Mexico
    is known locally as InStrag
    FIPRA in Mexico
  • FIPRA in The Netherlands
    FIPRA in The Netherlands
    is known locally as Public Matters
    FIPRA in The Netherlands
  • FIPRA in Norway
    FIPRA in Norway
    is known locally as First House
    FIPRA in Norway
  • FIPRA in Poland
    FIPRA in Poland
    is known locally as CEC Group
    FIPRA in Poland
  • FIPRA in Portugal
    FIPRA in Portugal
    is known locally as Initium
  • FIPRA in Singapore
    FIPRA in Singapore
    is known locally as Landmark Public Affairs
    FIPRA in Singapore
  • FIPRA in Slovakia
    FIPRA in Slovakia
    is known locally as FIPRA Slovakia
  • FIPRA in Slovenia
    FIPRA in Slovenia
    is known locally as MC Public Affairs S.a.r.l.
    FIPRA in Slovenia
  • FIPRA in South Africa
    FIPRA in South Africa
    is known locally as Ethicore Political Lobbying
    FIPRA in South Africa
  • FIPRA in Spain
    FIPRA in Spain
    is known locally as Influence Spain
    FIPRA in Spain
  • FIPRA in Sweden
    FIPRA in Sweden
    is known locally as Hallvarsson & Halvarsson (H&H)
    FIPRA in Sweden
  • FIPRA in Switzerland
    FIPRA in Switzerland
    is known locally as Hirzel.Neef.Schmid.Counselors
    FIPRA in Switzerland
  • FIPRA in Tunisia
    FIPRA in Tunisia
    is known locally as Mediterranean Development Initiative
    FIPRA in Tunisia
  • FIPRA in Turkey
    FIPRA in Turkey
    is known locally as FIPRA Iletisim
  • FIPRA in Ukraine
    FIPRA in Ukraine
    is known locally as Stober Poltavets & Associates
    FIPRA in Ukraine
  • FIPRA in the United Kingdom
    FIPRA in the United Kingdom
    is known locally as Lexington
    FIPRA in the United Kingdom
  • FIPRA in the United States
    FIPRA in the United States
    is known locally as Alpine Group
    FIPRA in the United States
FIPRA Network

FIPRA

© FIPRA 2023.
All rights reserved.

Follow us on Twitter  Find us on LinkedIn

  • Privacy Policy
Explore
  • About Us
  • Our Practice Areas
  • Our Team
  • FIPRA Network
  • Latest News
  • Events
  • Careers
  • FIPRA Tools
  • Contact Us
Practice Areas
  • Banking & Financial Services
  • Competition & Antitrust
  • Digital & Tech
  • EU & International
  • Food & Drink
  • Green Transition
  • Healthcare, Life Sciences & Wellbeing
  • Trade & Investment (including EU-UK)
  • Transport, Travel & Logistics
Contact

info@fipra.com

Brussels Office  map
FIPRA International SRL
Rue de la Loi 227
Brussels 1040
+32 (0)2 613 28 28
Company number: 0733.774.811

London Office  map
FIPRA International Limited
201 Borough High Street
London
SE1 1JA
+44 (0)203 805 7770
Company number: 3936157