In the public consciousness, Europe has a muddled identity featuring a mix of knights and bullet trains, chalices and a single market, past and digital present. But while this anachronistic pot-luck is great for storytelling, it’s a bit less so for legal and governance frameworks. The European Commission acknowledges this – the current laws don’t work well enough in a digital context. Which is why they’re implementing their EU digital strategy, to make the continent a little more sci-fi than fantasy. This page explores why and how, and what it means for you.

What is the EU digital strategy?

The EU digital strategy (titled “Europe fit for a digital age”) is a European Commission initiative to update many aspects of European life to be in keeping with – and take advantage of – the many advances in digital technology.

The strategy has various prongs, including legal, policy, infrastructure, and more. From our perspective, naturally, the legal prong is most important. The Commission and the EU Parliament have enacted some of the most advanced pieces of legislation that we have ever seen, tackling matters like data governance, Big Tech and AI.

Who does the strategy apply to?

The EU digital strategy doesn’t apply to anyone itself, per se, but the changes that flow from it certainly do. Many of the acts that it has introduced have some form of extra-territorial jurisdiction, and apply to service providers that offer services in the EU, even if they are not themselves established in the EU.

What does the EU digital strategy change or require?

Again, the strategy itself doesn’t impose any changes. It simply guides the EU Commission and Parliament in the kind of choices to make. The practical impact of the strategy comes from those choices, like the legislation enacted through them.

Some of the most important Acts introduced under the strategy include:

  • The Digital Markets Act – for a fair digital market, by setting out rules for gatekeepers who control access platforms that businesses use to reach their customers;
  • The Digital Services Act – for a safer digital environment, by setting out rules for providers of intermediary services, including online platforms, search engines, and hosting providers;
  • The AI Act – for safer AI development and use, by addressing and setting out rules for the various risk levels created by AI applications;
  • The Data Governance Act – for more trustworthy data-sharing, by setting out measures that make it easier and safer to make available, share and reuse data;
  • The Data Act – for fair distribution of the value of data, by (amongst other things) setting out measures that clarify the legal and contractual rules for generating data.

Practically, what does the EU digital strategy mean for me?

The EU digital strategy has a heavy impact on life and trade in the EU. If you or your business are established or trade in the EU, it will affect you. Exactly how it does so will depend on the specific act or policy applicable.

Actions you can take

  • Learn more about the EU digital strategy or the various Acts under it by attending one of our workshops or webinars.
  • Stay updated on the EU digital strategy by reading our latest insights.