The European Parliament’s Internal Market Committee adopted its position on the Digital Services Act while the plenary set the EU Parliament’s final position on the Digital Markets Act.
Brussels, 13 December 2021 – This week the European Parliament Internal Market Committee (IMCO) voted on its position on the Digital Services Act (DSA), as the leading committee, while the plenary set the EU Parliament’s final position on the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The Developers Alliance has issued a response to the adoption of these positions, finding many disproportionate elements. On Monday, ahead of the crucial vote on the Digital Services Act in the European Parliament’s Internal Market Committee (IMCO), the Coalition for Digital Ads of SMEs (CDA), which the Developers Alliance is part of, called on MEPs to ensure that the needs of Europe’s SMEs are kept closely in mind. Additionally, the CDA and the Developers Alliance asked that no untested and unnecessary restrictions on personalized digital marketing be introduced. With the IMCO adoption of its position on the Digital Services Act (DSA) proposal on Tuesday, a plenary vote in mid-January will be held, which will allow the start of inter-institutional negotiations
Additionally, on Wednesday, the final outcome of the vote by the plenary on the Digital Markets Act was announced, (DMA) providing the EU Parliament’s final position. Several significant amendments were added to the text proposed by the European Commission, a disproportionate approach ignoring unintended consequences, such as the amendment on default settings and pre-installed apps.
The following quote can be attributed to Bruce Gustafson, President and CEO of the Developers Alliance.
“EU policymakers are building a digital wall, convinced that Europe’s entrepreneurs aren’t capable of competing against their international peers. Millions of software developers in Europe and overseas have found their own path to success in the global ecosystems created by the companies that are targeted by these regulations. Billions of consumers benefit from the goods and services they deliver. These companies are far from unassailable, but regulations such as the DMA, will cause tremendous damage to the innovation economy that surrounds them.
I have met innovators from across Europe, and I disagree with EU policymakers who believe they are too weak to compete. The fact that some of the best and brightest will be forced to look elsewhere for opportunity rests squarely on the shoulders of leaders in Brussels and the national capitals. Digital protectionism will never create global champions.”
Karina Stan, Director of EU Policy and Head of Brussels Office meanwhile noted that:
“EU policymakers are acting under an undue sense of urgency to the detriment of the quality of crucial legislation for the European digital economy. The European Parliament’s position on the DMA proposes amendments that do not improve on the Commission’s proposal; on the contrary, they are just adding more uncertainty for the future of today’s stable digital ecosystems. Likewise, several amendments in the IMCO report on the DSA raise concerns with regard to their implementation.
We hope that the upcoming negotiations will pursue a balanced approach for both regulations, with due consideration on the impact and unintended consequences for startups and SMEs. We remain engaged with EU policymakers and will continue to provide our perspective on critical issues for software developers’ businesses.”
###
About The Developers Alliance
The Developers Alliance is the world’s leading advocate for software developers and the companies invested in their success. Alliance members include industry leaders in consumer, enterprise, industrial, and emerging software development, and a global network of more than 70,000 developers.
