Major data protection fine against Amazon struck down
14 April 26
Alessandra Vaes
The Luxembourg administrative court annulled a 2021 decision by the national data protection authority (CNPD) fining Amazon €746m for violations of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) relating to its processing of user data across the EU. This was the second highest fine imposed on a digital platform under the GDPR. The company was primarily fined for using the personal data of users for purposes of targeted advertising without a valid legal basis. The court found that the CNPD failed to undertake a proper assessment of the GDPR by imposing a fine automatically and without examining whether the company had the necessary degree of fault. The court nevertheless confirmed and upheld the CNPD’s finding that the company’s processing activities infringed several provisions of the GDPR.
EU Digital & Media Weekly Report
12 April 26
Visiola Pula
This report gathers policy and regulatory developments at EU level covered by Cullen International’s Digital Economy and Media services during the last week. It also lists events taking place this week.
UK competition authority to investigate Microsoft’s business software ecosystem
09 April 26
Miljana Todorovic
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will assess whether Microsoft should be designated with strategic market status under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act. Such designation would allow the CMA to impose targeted measures on Microsoft’s business software ecosystem and cloud practices. The investigation will start in May 2026 and should be completed within nine months.
Event in European Parliament on the Digital Omnibus and its impact on the financing of trusted media
09 April 26
Michele Ledger
Nordic media publishers made a strong plea towards the need to ensure that the digital simplification proposals contained in the Digital Omnibus do not undermine the financing of (trusted) media in Europe.
EU Digital & Media Weekly Report
05 April 26
Marianna Mattera
This report gathers policy and regulatory developments at EU level covered by Cullen International’s Digital Economy and Media services during the last week. It also lists events taking place this week.
European Commission event addresses concerns on securing submarine cables
31 March 26
Alessandra Vaes
Stakeholders discussed challenges including the need to strengthen cable repair capacity and response, ensure diversification of cable routes, and address potential regulatory fragmentation. They also highlighted dependencies on non-EU countries for cable infrastructure, with the Commission emphasising the importance of promoting EU-based companies.