This Week in ICT & Cybersecurity — Brussels (#24, 2026)
DMA: EC finds Amazon & Microsoft cloud services should be designated gatekeepers; State aid for semiconductor testing in Germany; Commission targets critical cable security; Foreign investment screening overhaul adopted.
June 21, 2026 to June 27, 2026
DMA: EC finds Amazon & Microsoft cloud services should be designated gatekeepers; State aid for semiconductor testing in Germany; Commission targets critical cable security; Foreign investment screening overhaul adopted.
📋 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 Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE): On June 29, the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Union’s biotechnology and biomanufacturing sectors particularly in the area of health and amending Regulations (EC) No 178/2002, (EC) No 1394/2007, (EU) No 536/2014, (EU) 2019/6, (EU) 2024/795 and (EU) 2024/1938 (European Biotech Act).
European Commission
Commission signals Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure should be gatekeepers under DMA
On 24 June, the European Commission informed Amazon and Microsoft of its preliminary position that Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure meet the qualitative criteria for designation as digital gatekeepers under the Digital Markets Act (DMA; Regulation (EU) 2022/1925), despite not meeting all relevant quantitative thresholds. The Commission cited AWS and Azure's entrenched market positions, lock-in effects, and the growing reliance of EU enterprises and public authorities on their cloud infrastructure and AI ecosystems. The investigation followed in-depth market inquiries started in November 2025, with the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets partnering through joint investigative teams. If confirmed, Amazon and Microsoft would have six months to comply with DMA obligations, including ensuring contestability in cloud procurement and interoperability, before enforcement actions may follow.
Commission approves €76 million State aid to QuantumDiamonds for semiconductor test facility in Germany
On 21 June, the Commission approved €76 million in German State aid for QuantumDiamonds GmbH to establish the EU’s first semiconductor inspection and metrology equipment facility based on advanced quantum sensors, located in Munich. The measure, notified under Article 107(3)(c) TFEU, supports the 'IPF-ATEST' project to supply high-resolution and 3D chip testing systems in line with objectives of the European Chips Act (Regulation (EU) 2023/1781). The approval follows a call for proposals from November 2024 and is the fourteenth such State aid clearance for semiconductors, with cumulative aid to the sector reaching around €14.2 billion.
Commission funds first Regional Cable Hubs and launches €40 million call for cable repair capacity
On 22 June, the Commission announced €5.8 million grants for the first two Regional Cable Hubs in the Baltic and Mediterranean Seas, coordinated by Finland and Italy, under the EU Action Plan on Cable Security (2025). The European Cybersecurity Competence Centre manages the grants and an open €40 million call funded by the Connecting Europe Facility - CEF Digital to boost the EU's submarine cable repair capabilities. These actions aim to reduce response times for submarine cable disruptions and support real-time situational awareness across critical digital infrastructure. The funding forms part of the CEF Digital programme, with €533 million allocated for cable security and resilience from 2024 to 2027.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Regulation (EU) 2026/1386 strengthens EU-wide screening of foreign investments
Published on 26 June in OJ L, Regulation (EU) 2026/1386 establishes a harmonised framework for screening foreign investments on security and public order grounds, replacing Regulation (EU) 2019/452. The new regime, applicable from 17 January 2028, imposes minimum requirements for national screening mechanisms, including prior authorisation for investments in critical sectors such as semiconductors, quantum, AI, critical raw materials, sensitive digital infrastructure, and cloud providers. It introduces a streamlined cooperation mechanism among Member States and the Commission, with unified criteria and deadlines, and mandates more robust information sharing and annual public reporting to improve EU-wide consistency in FDI oversight.
EU Council
Energy ministers agree Council position on European grids package
On 26 June, the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy configuration) agreed its negotiating stance on the European grids package. Ministers exchanged views on post-2030 decarbonisation efforts and the energy sector implications of the Middle East crisis.
EP Committee Work
Committee hearings debate Digital Networks Act and digital infrastructure sovereignty
On 24 June, the ITRE Committee held a public hearing on the proposed Digital Networks Act (DNA), featuring interventions by Marko Mišmaš (BEREC Chair), Alexandre de Streel (CERRE), and Anna Renata Pisarkiewicz (European University Institute). The session examined harmonisation and simplification of rules for electronic communications, the technological sovereignty objectives of the DNA, and implications for the digital Single Market, connectivity, and industrial competitiveness.
IMCO Committee holds public hearing on protection of minors online in the Single Market
The Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO) held an expert hearing on 24 June assessing the implementation of the Digital Services Act and ancillary rules for protecting children online. Panels covered enforcement gaps, divergence in national application, and legal fragmentation, with input from the Commission, META, BEUC, CDT Europe, EDRi, and DOT Europe, addressing risks such as cyberbullying, addictive platform design, and AI-generated child abuse material.
What We're Reading This Week
- Building trust in Europe in the AI era: European leaders ramp up efforts to establish ethical guidelines and foster public trust as AI technologies rapidly advance.
- Opinie | Humanity isn’t ready for the coming intelligence explosion: Experts warn society lacks safeguards and ethical frameworks to manage the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence capabilities.
