This Week in ICT & Cybersecurity — Brussels (#22, 2026)
Commission orders interim measures on Meta for AI competition; EU-Korea digital trade deal signed; new rules for automated police data exchange; product compliance digitalisation deal.
June 07, 2026 to June 13, 2026
Commission orders interim measures on Meta for AI competition; EU-Korea digital trade deal signed; new rules for automated police data exchange; product compliance digitalisation deal.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE): On June 15, the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings; *** End of electronic vote ***.
European Commission
Commission imposes interim measures on Meta to preserve free access to WhatsApp for rival AI assistants
On 8 June 2026, the European Commission ordered Meta to restore and maintain free access to WhatsApp for rival general-purpose AI assistants until the completion of its antitrust investigation. The interim measures address Meta's policy, which since October 2025 had restricted third-party AI access to WhatsApp, allegedly constituting an abuse of dominance under Article 102 TFEU and Regulation 1/2003. The Commission found that charging prohibitive fees was tantamount to denying access, potentially causing serious and irreparable harm to competition. Meta must reinstate prior free access terms within five working days and uphold them until a final decision is adopted. Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera stated that these measures preserve contestability in AI markets and safeguard consumer choice in Europe.
EU and Korea sign landmark Digital Trade Agreement at Summit
On 9 June 2026, the EU and Republic of Korea signed a Digital Trade Agreement (DTA) during the 11th EU-Korean Summit in Brussels. The DTA establishes binding high-standard digital trade rules, including recognition of electronic contracts, electronic signatures, cross-border data flows, and robust consumer protections. Both sides retain regulatory space for personal data and privacy while prohibiting mandatory source code transfer. The agreement complements the existing EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement and Digital Partnership. Next steps include ratification procedures by the EU Parliament and Council. Commissioner Maros Šefčovič and Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo signed the text, marking the EU’s second standalone bilateral digital trade pact.
EU and Brazil deepen ties through Digital Partnership
On 11 June 2026, the EU and Brazil signed a Digital Partnership in Brasilia, strengthening digital cooperation on data governance, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and connectivity. The agreement, signed by Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen and Brazil’s Secretary Alex Giacomelli da Silva, will be implemented via high-level exchanges and technical workstreams. An administrative agreement between Commission services and Brazil’s Agência Nacional de Proteção de Dados was also concluded, focusing on protection of minors online. The partners previously adopted mutual adequacy decisions for data protection standards in January 2026. The first Digital Partnership Council meeting is expected within 12 months.
Joint press release: Commission and EIB Group increase financing under InvestEU
On 9 June 2026, the European Commission and EIB Group signed an agreement, adding €22 billion in strategic financing under the InvestEU programme. The amendment reflects the Omnibus II regulation (adopted December 2025), reinforcing EU investment capacity and simplifying SME access. Projects supported are expected to deliver €70 billion in financial impact through the end of the current Multiannual Financial Framework. InvestEU will target transformative investments in digital, biotech, and innovative start-ups. The changes include streamlined reporting, expanded guarantees, and enhanced support for SMEs, with the EIB Group acting as principal advisory partner.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1233—Specifications for common addressing service in European Maritime Single Window
Regulation (EU) 2026/1233 of 11 June 2026 establishes specifications for the common addressing service within the European Maritime Single Window environment under Regulation (EU) 2019/1239. The Regulation facilitates automated system-to-system connections for reporting obligations, employing dynamic discovery and AS4 access points. Technical standards aim to enable flexibility, reduce manual intervention, and ensure interoperability. Publisher nodes hosted by Member States hold connection details, with a central locator node maintained in the public DNS.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1064—Automated search and exchange of biometric data through the Prüm router
Decision (EU) 2026/1064 of 8 June 2026 applies Regulation (EU) 2024/982, detailing technical rules for automated searches and exchange of biometric data among Member States and Europol via the Prüm router. The rules govern formats for DNA profiles, dactyloscopic data, and facial images, ensuring secure communications and reliability. Implemented with redundancy and high-availability protocols, the Decision also aligns with the Interoperable Europe Act, following an interoperability assessment.
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1329—Opening negotiations for roaming agreements with Western Balkans
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1329 of 4 June 2026 authorises the Commission to open negotiations for sectoral agreements on public mobile communications roaming with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. The Commission is appointed as negotiator and will consult the COELA committee and Working Party on Telecommunications. The outcome aims to facilitate cross-border mobile communication within the Western Balkans.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1065—Automated search and exchange of police records via EPRIS
Decision (EU) 2026/1065 of 8 June 2026 sets technical rules for the automated search and exchange of police records via the European Police Record Index System (EPRIS), under Regulation (EU) 2024/982. Uniform standards, protocols, and security requirements are established for reliable cross-border data exchange between national police record indexes and Europol. End-to-end encryption, pseudonymisation, and operational continuity procedures are included. The interoperability assessment was carried out under Regulation (EU) 2024/903.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1066—Automated search and exchange of vehicle registration data
Decision (EU) 2026/1066 of 8 June 2026 sets technical rules for automated search and exchange of vehicle registration data via EUCARIS, as specified by Regulation (EU) 2024/982. Mandatory and optional data elements, search parameters, and communication mechanisms are defined to ensure interoperability and security. The rules distinguish between searches for identifying vehicle owners and surrounding vehicles, facilitating cross-border police cooperation.
EU Council
Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council approves European business wallets position
On 9 June 2026, the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Telecommunications configuration) adopted its position on the establishment of European business wallets and exchanged views on EU-ITU cooperation, as well as technological sovereignty for EU public administrations.
EU-Korea Summit launches competitiveness partnership and digital trade agreement
On 10 June 2026, EU and Republic of Korea leaders convened their 11th summit, launching a competitiveness partnership and acknowledging the signing of a digital trade agreement. Discussions included geopolitical developments.
Eurogroup discusses economic and energy security, as IMF delivers euro area consultation
On 11 June 2026, the Eurogroup reviewed euro area macroeconomic and fiscal developments. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva presented findings from the Fund’s annual consultation. Ministers addressed economic and energy security, alongside EU technological sovereignty issues.
EP Committee Work
LIBE — Draft opinion on Digital Networks Act
On 9 June 2026, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) published a draft opinion, with rapporteur Ana Vasconcelos, on the proposed Digital Networks Act amending Regulation (EU) 2015/2120 and several related legal instruments. The opinion reviews impacts on digital networks' regulation and sectoral legislative coherence.
IMCO — Draft opinion on 2027 budget guidelines
On 8 June 2026, the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) released a draft opinion, with rapporteur Piotr Müller, addressing guidelines for the 2027 EU budget across all sections. The document sets out priorities for internal market funding.
JURI — Opinion on European Business Wallets proposal
On 8 June 2026, the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) adopted Axel Voss's opinion on the proposed regulation for European Business Wallets. The opinion details legal criteria and implementation considerations underpinning the wallet framework.
IMCO Committee: Deal on simplifying and digitalising EU product compliance
On 9 June 2026, IMCO committee announced an agreement on EU product compliance simplification and digitalisation. The package includes digital formats for product information, streamlined authority-operator communication, and the 'digital by default' principle, supporting interoperable data and paper-free administration. Common specifications are introduced for demonstrating product compliance when harmonised standards are absent, with oversight and temporary effect of 48 months. The agreement modifies 20 pieces of EU product legislation, pending Council and Parliament approval.
What We're Reading This Week
- Security strategy moves to the 13th floor: Senior leadership is taking direct control of security strategy, signaling a shift in organizational priorities and oversight.
