Data protection
European Artificial Intelligence Act comes into force
Entered into force: 1 August 2024
On August 1 the European Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act), the world’s first comprehensive regulation on artificial intelligence, entered into force. The AI Act ensures that AI developed and used in the EU is trustworthy, with safeguards to protect people’s fundamental rights. The regulation aims to establish a harmonised internal market for AI in the EU, encouraging the uptake of this technology and creating a supportive environment for innovation and investment.
See also: Press release
The Lithuanian Supervisory Authority (SA) fined Vinted, UAB €2,385,276 for GDPR violations
Adopted: 26 July 2024
Vinted failed to adequately respond to users’ requests for data erasure and access, and processed personal data unlawfully using ‘shadow blocking’. Lithuanian SA found infringement of principles of fairness, transparency, lawfulness, and accountability. Lithuanian SA relied on the EDPB Guidelines 04/2022 of 24 May 2023 on the calculation of administrative fines under the GDPR and took into account, for example, the cross-border scope of the processing carried out by the company, that the infringements affected a large number of data subjects and lasted for a long period.
See also: Press release
EU and Singapore conclude negotiations for landmark Digital Trade Agreement
Official press release: 25 July 2024
The EU and Singapore have concluded negotiations for a Digital Trade Agreement, the first of its kind for the EU. This agreement aims to set global standards for digital trade rules and cross-border data flows. It complements the 2019 EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, benefiting businesses and consumers engaged in digital trade by providing binding rules, building consumer trust, ensuring legal certainty, and removing barriers to digital trade while unlocking new economic opportunities in a safe online environment.
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_24_3982
Trade
EU adopts 14th package of sanctions against Russia, strengthening enforcement and anti-circumvention measures
Adopted: 24 July 2024
The new package responds to the needs and findings on the ground and tackles enforcement issues. It targets high-value sectors of the Russian economy, like energy, finance and trade, and makes it even more difficult to circumvent EU sanctions. This package includes restrictions on 116 individuals and entities, trade and transport-related restrictions and introduces new anti-circumvention measures. The new package also introduces a way to claim damages for EU companies. Prohibitions related to the LNG sector, financial sector and intellectual property.
See also: Press release
First global rules on digital trade: Commission welcomes text of global E-Commerce Agreement negotiated at the WTO
Published: 26 July 2024
Once the World Trade Organization (WTO) Members reach a consensus, the E-commerce Agreement will establish global rules for digital trade among a wide range of WTO Members. The agreement will benefit consumers and businesses, supporting digital transformation among participating WTO Members by making cross-border electronic transactions easier, reducing barriers to digital trade, and promoting innovation in e-commerce. Additionally, it will enhance digital inclusiveness and contribute to the economic growth of developing and least-developed participating Members.
See also: Press release
Finance
Commission presents New European Bauhaus (NEB) Investment Guidelines to help investors align projects with NEB’s transformative vision
Official press release: 29 July 2024
The European Commission has adopted the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Investment Guidelines, a tool to illustrate how public and private investments can integrate the values of sustainability, inclusion and aesthetics promoted by the NEB to transform Europe’s built environment. The NEB Investment Guidelines result from close cooperation between the Commission and JASPERS (Joint Assistance to Support Projects in European Regions), an advisory programme funded by the Commission and the European Investment Bank.
See also: Press release
ESMA delivers opinion on global crypto firms using their non-EU execution venues
Delivered: 31 July 2024
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s financial markets regulator and supervisor authority, issued today an opinion to address the risks presented by global crypto firms seeking authorisation under the Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) Regulation for part of their activities (crypto brokerage) while keeping a substantial part of their group activities (intra-group execution venues) outside the European Union (EU) regulatory scope.
See also: Press release
Mobility & Transport
The commission enforces temporary restrictions on liquid screening at certain EU airports
Published: 31 July 2024
The European Commission will temporarily enforce restrictions on liquid screening at EU airports utilising Explosive Detection Systems for Cabin Baggage (EDSCB). These systems, installed in certain EU airports, currently allow passengers to carry liquid containers exceeding 100 ml. However, effective from 1 September 2024, the maximum allowed size for individual liquid containers will revert to the standard 100 ml for airports operating this type of equipment.
See also: Commission Decision, Press release
Human Rights
ECtHR finds no violation of the right to free elections in Ždanoka v. Latvia
Delivered: 25 July 2024
In the Chamber’s judgment, in Ždanoka v. Latvia (no. 2) (application no. 42221/18), the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) held, unanimously, that there had been no violation of Article 3 of Protocol No. 1 (right to free elections) to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The case involved the removal of a former MEP from the candidate list for the 2018 parliamentary elections due to her active membership in the Communist Party of Latvia during the post-independence struggles against the Soviet Union.
