This Week in ICT & Cybersecurity — Brussels (#34, 2026)
Commission designates ChatGPT, Reddit, Roblox under DSA; Article 102 dominance guidelines adopted; Dual-use export corrections published; NextGenerationEU reaches implementation deadline; EU 2026 budget amended.
August 30, 2026 to September 05, 2026
Commission designates ChatGPT, Reddit, Roblox under DSA; Article 102 dominance guidelines adopted; Dual-use export corrections published; NextGenerationEU reaches implementation deadline; EU 2026 budget amended.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO): On September 07, the European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Chair’s announcements; Joint Public Hearing on Countering VAT and customs fraud for the protection of the Union’s financial interests – the Anti-Fraud Architecture revision.
- Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO): On September 10, the European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Amending Regulations (EU) 2016/679, (EU) 2018/1724, (EU) 2018/1725, (EU) 2023/2854 and Directives 2002/58/EC, (EU) 2022/2555 and (EU) 2022/2557 as regards the simplification of the digital legislative framework, and repealing Regulations (EU) 2018/1807, (EU) 2019/1150, (EU) 2022/868, and Directive (EU) 2019/1024 (Digital Omnibus); Amending Regulations (EU) 2017/745 and (EU) 2017/746 as regards simplifying and reducing the burden of the rules on medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices, and amending Regulation (EU) 2022/123 as regards the support of the European Medicines Agency for the expert panels on medical devices and Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 as regards the list of Union harmonisation legislation referred to in its Annex I.
- Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE): On September 10, the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings.
European Commission
Commission designates ChatGPT, Reddit, Roblox under Digital Services Act
On 30 August 2026, the European Commission designated ChatGPT as a Very Large Online Search Engine (VLOSE) and Reddit and Roblox as Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs), according to obligations under Regulation (EU) 2022/2065, the Digital Services Act (DSA). The designation follows these services meeting the threshold of 45 million average monthly users, requiring compliance with enhanced risk assessment and mitigation duties by January 2027. The Commission will gain new investigative and supervisory powers, acting in coordination with Digital Services Coordinators—Coimisiún na Meán (Ireland) for ChatGPT, Authority for Consumers and Markets (Netherlands) for Reddit and Roblox. Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, commented on the higher level of scrutiny applied. With this action, the total number of DSA-designated platforms and search engines rises to twenty-eight.
Commission adopts EU Guidelines on exclusionary abuses of dominance
On 2 September 2026, the European Commission adopted updated Guidelines on the application of Article 102 TFEU to exclusionary conduct by dominant companies, concluding a three-year consultation process that included a public consultation in August 2024 and a stakeholder workshop in February 2025. The Guidelines outline the Commission's interpretation and enforcement of Article 102 TFEU regarding exclusionary abuses, such as predatory pricing, margin squeeze, exclusive dealing, and refusal to supply. The withdrawal of the 2008 Guidance and its 2023 amendment reflects the integration of case law developments and effects-based approaches. Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, noted the clarity the Guidelines bring to market operators. The Guidelines contribute to legal certainty and consistency across enforcement by the Commission, national competition authorities, and EU courts.
NextGenerationEU reaches implementation deadline
On 30 August 2026, the European Commission marked the final implementation deadline for national recovery and resilience plans under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the core of NextGenerationEU. Member States have until 30 September 2026 to submit final payment requests, with all payments to be completed by 31 December 2026. President Ursula von der Leyen characterized the initiative as instrumental in accelerating both digital and clean transitions across the EU. As of August 2026, €440 billion has been disbursed and up to a further €133 billion will be paid by the end of the year. Recent milestones include Sweden’s completion of its recovery investments, joining Denmark in finalizing reforms. The months ahead focus on delivering remaining results to realize the full impact of the program.
Statement by President von der Leyen with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte
On 1 September 2026, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte met in Brussels following an identified Russian attack on cargo planes at Leipzig/Halle Airport, Germany. The Commission pledged increased pressure and new sanctions tools against Russia, coordinating with foreign affairs ministers convening in Ireland. President von der Leyen confirmed member states' receipt of a new payment request covering Ukraine's air defences, including PAC-3 Patriot systems, as part of the ongoing €90 billion support package. The EU is also advancing FREYA, a joint ballistic missile defence project with Ukraine. An 800 billion euro defence investment plan was referenced, highlighting the SAFE financial mechanism for collective investments. Both leaders affirmed support for rapid integration and investment in European defence capabilities alongside NATO.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Definitive adoption of Amending budget No 1 for the EU financial year 2026
On 3 September 2026, the European Parliament formally adopted Amending budget No. 1 (EU, Euratom) 2026/1855 for the Union's financial year 2026, completing the procedure under Article 314 TFEU. This act implements adjustments based on Council Decision 2020/2053 and Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509, with agreement reached after Council position approval in July 2026.
Correction to Regulation (EU) 2021/821 on dual-use export controls
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1405, published 1 September 2026, amends certain language versions of Regulation (EU) 2021/821 governing the control of exports, brokering, technical assistance, transit, and transfer of dual-use items. Corrections address substantive errors in Hungarian, Lithuanian, Slovak, Swedish, Dutch, Greek, Slovenian, and Irish texts, particularly affecting definitions in Annex I. No changes apply to the English version.
