This Week in Arts & Culture — Brussels (#11, 2026)
Commission investigates Snapchat, online adult platforms under DSA; LUX Audience Award ceremony announced; Digital Markets Act enforcement reviewed by IMCO.
March 22, 2026 to March 28, 2026
Commission investigates Snapchat, online adult platforms under DSA; LUX Audience Award ceremony announced; Digital Markets Act enforcement reviewed by IMCO.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
European Commission
Commission investigates Snapchat's compliance with child protection rules under the Digital Services Act
On 25 March 2026, the European Commission opened formal proceedings against Snapchat to investigate compliance with the Digital Services Act (Regulation (EU) 2022/2065), focusing on child safety, privacy, and exposure to illegal goods and age-restricted products. The probe targets five areas, including age assurance, protections against grooming and recruitment of minors, default account settings, dissemination of information on illegal products, and reporting mechanisms for illegal content. The Commission suspects Snapchat's reliance on self-declaration is insufficient for age assurance and that its moderation and default privacy settings do not adequately protect minors. The investigation also examines whether Snapchat's systems enable the sale or exposure to prohibited products such as drugs, vapes, and alcohol to minors. The Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) is associated with the investigation, which builds on earlier Dutch and German Digital Service Coordinator inquiries. The Commission may adopt interim measures, non-compliance decisions, or accept commitments from Snapchat as next steps. Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, commented on the Commission's concerns.
Commission preliminarily finds PornHub, Stripchat, XNXX and XVideos in breach of the Digital Services Act for allowing minors to access their services
On 25 March 2026, the European Commission issued preliminary findings that PornHub, Stripchat, XNXX, and XVideos have breached the Digital Services Act (Regulation (EU) 2022/2065) by failing to prevent minors from accessing pornographic content. The Commission found that the platforms did not diligently assess risks to minors nor implement effective age verification measures, instead relying on self-declaration and content warnings. The investigation, launched on 27 May 2025, used risk assessment reports and platform responses, and included input from national Digital Services Coordinators in Cyprus, Czechia, France, and Germany. The Commission is developing an EU Age Verification app, currently in testing with member states and stakeholders. Platforms now have the opportunity to reply to the findings; a non-compliance decision could follow, with fines up to 6% of global turnover. The Commission continues coordinated action on smaller platforms at the national level.
Keynote speech by President von der Leyen at the European Australian Business Council event
On 24 March 2026, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered a keynote speech in Sydney, marking the conclusion of EU-Australia Free Trade Agreement negotiations. The address referenced shared heritage, cultural ties, and the role of European companies in Australia. Von der Leyen highlighted Australia's leadership in online child safety regulation and referenced the EU's own Digital Services Act as a parallel. The President noted mutual commitments to fair trade, technology governed by values, and global security, drawing links between cultural closeness and aligned regulatory standards. The speech also discussed the importance of partnerships in fostering economic security and promoting European values abroad. The event underscored ongoing EU efforts to strengthen cultural, economic, and security relationships with Asia-Pacific partners.
EP Committee Work
LUX Audience Award: invitation to the ceremony and to interview finalists
On 26 March 2026, the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) announced the LUX Audience Award ceremony. The event will bring together MEPs, representatives of five nominated films, and the public to celebrate the winning European film. The finalists include 'Christy,' 'Deaf,' 'It Was Just an Accident,' 'Love Me Tender,' and 'Sentimental Value.' The ceremony will feature a press point with the winning film's team and EP Vice-President Sabine Verheyen. The LUX Audience Award, presented by the European Parliament and European Film Academy, promotes the distribution of European films reflecting cultural diversity and societal topics. Journalists can register for interviews with the nominees, with the award winner selected through a weighted vote by MEPs and the public.
Digital Markets Act: MEPs demand timely action and resilience against external pressures
On 24 March 2026, the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) adopted a draft resolution and oral question on the enforcement of the Digital Markets Act (DMA, Regulation (EU) 2022/1925). The resolution calls for robust enforcement, assessment of generative AI and cloud-based gatekeeper technologies, and reinforcement of Commission resources. The text references concerns about self-preferencing by Google, consent practices by TikTok, default settings by Microsoft, and parity clauses by Booking.com. The resolution and oral question will be put to vote at the 27–30 April 2026 plenary session.
DRAFT OPINION on the proposal for a regulation establishing the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for the period 2028-2034
On 26 March 2026, the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) published a draft opinion on the Commission proposal to establish the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for 2028-2034 (Rapporteur: Hélder Sousa Silva). The opinion addresses the impact of the regulation on cultural and educational initiatives. The document is PE785.325v01-00.
What We're Reading This Week
- CulturEU Funding Guide: A new guide streamlines access
- Satanic slashers and sexy Swedish pop: The best things to do, hear, see or watch in Europe this week: From horror film premieres to ABBA-inspired concerts, Europe offers a vibrant mix of cultural events and entertainment this week.
- Video. A pastry rooted in seasonal and cultural practices: A traditional pastry highlights the interplay of local customs and seasonal ingredients in culinary heritage.
- Russian court bans Oscar-winning documentary ‘Mr Nobody Against Putin’: A Russian court has prohibited public access to the Oscar-winning documentary critical of President Putin, citing extremism concerns.
