digital economy regulation

The US consumer watchdog, the Federal Trade Commission, launched a comprehensive inquiry in September 2025 into seven major providers of consumer-facing AI companion chatbots. This is the most significant regulatory scrutiny of AI chatbot providers in the US so far. The investigation is particularly concerned with child safety and data privacy practices.

Flagship initiatives to promote an AI first policy in key sectors (e.g. telecommunications and the public sector) are at the heart of the Apply AI strategy. It further envisages the setting-up of a single governance mechanism, a coordination forum for Apply AI stakeholders, to advance the discussion on AI policy in strategic EU sectors. The strategy reiterates the Commission’s commitment to support the implementation of the Artificial Intelligence Act. A parallel AI in Science strategy will focus on fostering AI-driven research across scientific disciplines.

This report gathers policy and regulatory developments at EU level covered by Cullen International’s Digital Economy and Media services over the past week. It also lists events taking place this week.

Representatives of the European Commission and the Council, and Members of the European Parliament from mainstream political groups (EPP, S&D, Renew and Greens) defended the EU’s right to set its own digital standards against pressure from the US administration and companies.

The law on artificial intelligence (AI) limits minors’ access to AI technology and imposes imprisonment for harmful use of AI. The Agency for Digital Italy (AGID) and the National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN) are designated as competent national authorities for AI.

This report gathers policy and regulatory developments at EU level covered by Cullen International’s Digital Economy and Media services over the past week. It also lists events taking place this week.