EU Politics
European Union institutions, lawmaking, and bloc-level political developments.
EU warns Meta over Facebook and Instagram's addictive infinite scroll design
The European Commission has issued preliminary findings saying Meta may have breached the Digital Services Act by failing to adequately assess or reduce addictive design risks on Facebook and Instagram, including infinite scroll and autoplay. Meta can respond before any final decision, and the case could lead to redesign demands and fines of up to 6% of global revenue.
Meta accused by EU of failing to protect users from addictive Facebook and Instagram design
The European Commission has issued preliminary findings that Meta may have breached the Digital Services Act by failing to reduce addictive-design risks in Facebook and Instagram, especially for minors.
EU accuses Meta of failing to tackle mental health risks of 'addictive design'
The European Commission has issued preliminary findings saying Meta may have breached the Digital Services Act by failing to mitigate mental health risks linked to Facebook and Instagram design features such as autoplay, infinite scroll and personalized recommendations.
EU accuses Meta over 'addictive design' on Facebook and Instagram
The European Commission has issued preliminary findings accusing Meta of failing to adequately address addictive-design risks on Facebook and Instagram, especially for minors. The case could lead to product redesigns and penalties under the EU’s Digital Services Act.
EU preliminarily accuses Meta of violating Digital Services Act over addictive Facebook and Instagram design
The European Commission said Meta may be violating the Digital Services Act by designing Facebook and Instagram in ways that can encourage compulsive use and harm minors. The company disputes the preliminary findings, which could still lead to fines of up to 6% of global annual revenue and forced product changes.
European Parliament backs digital euro mandate, opening talks with Council
The European Parliament has approved its position on the digital euro, opening negotiations with EU governments on a retail central bank digital currency. The vote, which passed 416-169 with 22 abstentions, moves the project into trilogue talks while leaving key disputes over privacy, holding limits, fees and online-offline functionality unresolved.
French EU commissioner pushes 'Buy European' public procurement shift
EU industry commissioner Stéphane Séjourné is backing a draft overhaul of procurement rules that could let public authorities favor European and partner-country suppliers in strategic contracts, with a September proposal expected.
EU General Court upholds Apple’s DMA gatekeeper designation
The EU General Court dismissed Apple’s challenge to its Digital Markets Act gatekeeper designation, keeping the company subject to the bloc’s platform obligations. Apple can still appeal to the EU’s top court.
EU distracted-driver monitoring mandate takes effect for newly registered vehicles
The EU’s General Safety Regulation has reached its next phase, extending camera-based driver distraction monitoring to newly registered vehicles after an earlier rollout for new vehicle types.
EU court upholds Apple’s iOS and App Store gatekeeper status
The EU General Court rejected Apple’s challenge to the European Commission’s Digital Markets Act designation of iOS and the App Store, preserving Apple’s gatekeeper status. Apple can still appeal to the EU’s top court.
European unions push for legally binding workplace heat protections
European trade unions are pressing the EU to adopt legally binding workplace heat rules, including mandatory risk assessments, enforceable thermal limits and rights to breaks, shade and water.
Lagarde doesn’t rule out leaving ECB early, reviving French political speculation
Christine Lagarde said in a Les Echos interview that she would not rule out leaving the European Central Bank before her term ends in October 2027, renewing speculation that she could return to French politics.
EU top court upholds Google Android antitrust fine
Europe’s top court upheld the EU’s Android antitrust fine against Google, ending an eight-year legal fight over phone licensing terms and app preinstallation.
Top EU court dismisses Google appeal of $4.5 billion antitrust fine
The Court of Justice of the European Union dismissed Google and Alphabet’s final appeal in the Android antitrust case, confirming a reduced €4.125 billion fine and closing an eight-year legal fight over Google’s treatment of Android device licensing, Search and Chrome preinstallation.
Google loses final appeal over EU's Android antitrust fine
The Court of Justice of the European Union dismissed Google’s final appeal in its Android antitrust case, leaving intact a €4.125 billion fine tied to pre-installation and licensing practices.
Google loses final EU appeal over Android fine
The Court of Justice of the European Union upheld Google’s final appeal loss in the Android antitrust case, confirming a reduced €4.125 billion fine and ending an eight-year legal battle over preinstalling Search and Chrome on Android devices.
EU urged to exempt UK from car rules that could hit auto supply chains
European carmakers are pressing Brussels to carve out the UK, Turkey and Morocco from proposed ‘Made in Europe’ auto rules, warning the policy could disrupt deeply integrated supply chains and strand plants tied to the EU market.
EU rules on small packages and steel target trade imbalance with China
The European Commission has introduced a €3 fee on low-value parcels and tightened steel import rules, moving to curb cheap imports and address Europe’s trade imbalance with China.
EU rolls out new steel safeguards and a €3 fee on small parcels
The European Union began enforcing a €3 charge on small parcels and tighter steel safeguards on July 1, in moves officials say will protect consumers, jobs and fair competition.
Ireland takes over rotating EU presidency in Dublin ceremony
Ireland has formally begun its six-month presidency of the Council of the EU with a Dublin ceremony attended by senior EU figures and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Officials say the term will run through December 31, 2026, with competitiveness, security, values and merit-based enlargement among the early priorities.
EU judges' opaque handling of potential conflicts of interest
A Le Monde and Investigate Europe investigation says a large share of judges at the Court of Justice of the European Union hold financial interests, some linked to cases they handled, while the court relies on internal self-policing and limited disclosure.
EU and China launch trade consultations with October target over €360bn deficit
The EU and China have opened formal trade consultations in Brussels, with EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič seeking tangible results by October on a €360bn trade deficit.
EU halves duty-free steel quota, raises over-quota tariff to 50%
The European Commission will cut tariff-free steel import quotas and raise the tariff on shipments above the cap to 50% from July 1, in a move aimed at protecting EU steelmakers from global overcapacity.
EU and China open three months of trade talks over the €360bn imbalance
The EU and China have launched three months of trade and investment consultations in Brussels, with the European Commission seeking tangible progress by October on the bloc’s €360bn trade imbalance with China.