This Week in ICT & Cybersecurity — Brussels (#11, 2026)
Commission opens DSA probes on Snapchat, adult sites; cyber-attack on Europa platform; Parliament backs AI Act simplification; new customs reform agreed; anti-dumping duties on optical fibre corrected.
March 22, 2026 to March 28, 2026
Commission opens DSA probes on Snapchat, adult sites; cyber-attack on Europa platform; Parliament backs AI Act simplification; new customs reform agreed; anti-dumping duties on optical fibre corrected.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🏛️ European Parliament
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
European Commission
Commission investigates Snapchat over child safety under Digital Services Act
The European Commission has opened formal proceedings against Snapchat to assess the platform’s compliance with child protection and privacy requirements under the Digital Services Act (DSA). The investigation will focus on the adequacy of Snapchat’s age assurance mechanisms, default account settings, and safeguards against grooming and exposure to illegal or age-restricted goods. The Commission noted concerns over the platform’s reliance on self-declaration for age checks and highlighted insufficient protections for minors in content moderation and reporting systems. This action builds on information from the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets and the German Federal Network Agency, as well as academic and civil society input. Snapchat will be subject to further evidence gathering, including requests for information and possible interim measures.
Commission preliminarily finds PornHub, Stripchat, XNXX and XVideos in breach of Digital Services Act obligations to protect minors
The European Commission has issued preliminary findings that PornHub, Stripchat, XNXX, and XVideos are in breach of the Digital Services Act (DSA) for failing to prevent minors from accessing pornographic content. The Commission’s investigation, initiated on 27 May 2025, found that these platforms did not apply adequate age verification measures and relied excessively on self-declaration. Additional risk mitigation tools, such as content warnings and page blurring, were deemed insufficient. The Commission referenced the 2025 DSA Guidelines on the protection of minors and is developing an EU Age Verification app for use across platforms, interoperable with the upcoming EU Digital Identity Wallets. National authorities from Cyprus, Czechia, France, and Germany participated in the investigation. Platforms have the opportunity to respond to the findings before further enforcement steps, including potential fines.
Commission responds to cyber-attack on Europa web platform
On 24 March, the European Commission detected a cyber-attack on its cloud infrastructure hosting the Europa.eu web platform. Immediate mitigation measures were implemented, and the incident did not disrupt website availability or affect internal Commission systems. Early investigation indicates that some data may have been accessed, and relevant Union entities are being notified. The Commission continues to assess the impact and will enhance cybersecurity measures as needed. The incident highlights the ongoing risks to EU digital infrastructure. Background measures include the Cybersecurity Regulation, NIS2 Directive, and the Cyber Solidarity Act, which together provide the legislative framework for EU-wide cybersecurity, operational cooperation, and protection of critical sectors.
Commission presents €115 million AGILE programme for rapid defence innovation
The Commission introduced AGILE, a €115 million pilot programme designed to accelerate disruptive defence technologies, with a focus on artificial intelligence, quantum, and drone applications. AGILE aims to expedite funding and deployment for 20-30 projects led mainly by SMEs and start-ups, targeting a four-month grant window with rapid market uptake. The initiative will operate from 2027, complementing existing EU defence research tools such as the European Defence Fund and the EU Defence Innovation Scheme. AGILE is framed within broader EU efforts on defence transformation, including the Defence Industry Transformation Roadmap and Readiness Roadmap 2030.
Commission remarks on new AGILE financial instrument for defence innovation
Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen and Commissioner Andrius Kubilius presented detailed remarks on the AGILE pilot programme, emphasizing the need for faster innovation cycles and greater SME participation in European defence procurement. AGILE, proposed as a regulation, will operate as a fast-track funding tool in 2027, supporting up to 30 projects with a focus on disruptive, cost-effective technologies. The remarks outlined AGILE's alignment with the EU Defence Industry Transformation Roadmap, its risk-tolerant approach, and its targeted support for single entities and consortia from EU Member States, Norway, and Ukraine.
€34.6 billion in cohesion funds reallocated to EU strategic priorities
The Commission confirmed that Member States have reprogrammed €34.6 billion from the 2021-2027 cohesion policy budget to address strategic EU priorities, including competitiveness, defence, energy connectivity, and water resilience. The reallocation follows a mid-term review and regulatory adjustments adopted in September 2025, and affects 186 national and regional programmes across 25 Member States. The funds target critical technologies, skills, civil preparedness, and decarbonisation. Enhanced pre-financing and higher EU co-financing rates will apply to affected projects, with special support for regions bordering Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine.
Commission welcomes agreement on far-reaching reform of EU Customs Union
The European Commission welcomed the political agreement reached between Parliament and Council on a comprehensive reform of the EU Customs Union, the most extensive overhaul since 1968. The reform introduces a new EU Customs Authority based in Lille, France, and an EU Customs Data Hub for centralised customs operations. The measures address the surge in low-value e-commerce imports, ending the €150 duty exemption for parcels as of July 2026 and introducing a €3 duty for small parcels. Online platforms will bear increased responsibilities for compliance with customs rules, and a handling fee for imports will be introduced by November 2026. The reform is phased, with the Data Hub for e-commerce launching in 2028 and full implementation for all traders by 2034.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Commission Recommendation (EU) 2026/720 on the definition of innovative enterprises, startups, and scaleups
On 18 March 2026, the Commission published Recommendation (EU) 2026/720 (OJ L 2026/720; CELEX: 32026X0720) establishing harmonised definitions for innovative enterprises, innovative startups, and innovative scaleups. The Recommendation aims to facilitate consistent application of innovation support measures across the EU and EEA, with particular attention to deep tech sectors. The definitions reference R&D intensity, age, size, and growth metrics, and are intended to align national and EU support schemes and data collection practices.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/698: correction of anti-dumping and countervailing duties on optical fibre cables from India
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/698 of 23 March 2026 (OJ L 2026/698; CELEX: 32026R0698) corrects earlier regulations imposing anti-dumping (2024/3014) and countervailing (2025/1135) duties on optical fibre cables from India. The correction addresses errors in the duty rates for Aberdare Technologies Private Limited, ensuring the company is not charged in excess. The revised duties apply retroactively from 12 June 2025, and customs authorities are instructed to refund any overpayments.
European Parliament
Parliament adopts position on simplification of the Artificial Intelligence Act (Digital Omnibus on AI)
On 26 March 2026, the European Parliament adopted its position on the proposal for a regulation amending Regulations (EU) 2024/1689 and (EU) 2018/1139 to simplify harmonised AI rules (COM(2025)0836; 2025/0359(COD)). The adopted report, led by Arba Kokalari and Michael McNamara, introduces fixed application dates for high-risk AI systems and clarifies obligations for watermarking AI-generated content. The position also extends support measures to small mid-cap enterprises and introduces a ban on AI-powered nudifier apps. The plenary vote enables negotiations with Council on the final text.
EU Council
Informal meeting of telecommunications ministers scheduled
An informal meeting of telecommunications ministers under the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council configuration was scheduled for 23 March 2026.
EP Committee Work
IMCO Committee discusses enforcement of the Digital Markets Act and e-commerce product safety
On 24 March 2026, the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) held an ordinary meeting in Brussels. The agenda included an exchange of views on AliExpress and the systemic sale of unsafe and counterfeit goods, a reporting session on the implementation and enforcement of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) by Brando Benifei (S&D), and adoption of a motion for a resolution and an oral question regarding DMA enforcement. The committee also discussed outcomes of the consultation on the future European Product Act and hosted a dialogue with Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné on industrial strategy.
ITRE Committee reviews draft reports on Horizon Europe 2028–2034 and space activities
The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) met on 24 March 2026 to consider the draft report on establishing Horizon Europe for 2028-2034 (Rapporteur: Christian Ehler, PPE), as well as the draft report on safety, resilience, and sustainability of space activities in the Union (Rapporteur: Elena Donazzan, ECR). Amendments were discussed, with deadlines set for early April. The committee also adopted proposals for pilot projects and preparatory actions for the 2027 budget and held an exchange with Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné on industrial strategy.
ECON Committee holds exchange on digital euro and considers opinion on Single Market and Customs Programme
The Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) met on 24 March 2026, featuring an exchange of views with Piero Cipollone, Executive Board Member of the European Central Bank, on the digital euro project. The committee also considered the draft opinion by Gilles Boyer (Renew) on the proposal for the Single Market and Customs Programme for 2028-2034 (COM(2025)0590; 2025/0590(COD)), with a deadline for amendments set for 9 April 2026.
What We're Reading This Week
- European Commission investigates cyberattack on its websites: EU officials are probing a recent cyberattack targeting Commission websites, raising concerns about digital security and potential data breaches.
- Dutch court bans Grok from generating fake nudes, threatens €100K daily penalties: A Dutch court orders Grok to halt creation of fake nudes or face daily fines of up to €100,000.
- Google sets 2029 deadline to prepare for quantum cyber threat: Google urges organizations to upgrade encryption systems by 2029 to defend against future quantum computer security risks.
- Governments pressured to stop ‘enshitification' as internet worsens: Rising public outcry urges regulators to address declining online quality and increased commercialization of major internet platforms.
