McGrath: Timeline Shift to Mid‑2026

On March 13, EU Commissioner Michael McGrath, speaking at the “Future of Transatlantic Digital Collaboration” event hosted by the Center for Strategic & International Studies in Washington, DC, confirmed a key update on the Digital Fairness Act timeline.

I raised a question to McGrath about the DFA, and he emphasized that while the proposal addresses critical gaps in current consumer protection measures—such as addictive design, dark patterns, influencer transparency, and subscription traps—it is not meant to add unnecessary regulatory burdens. Instead, it aims to modernize protections for the digital age.

Notably, McGrath announced that, following extensive consultations and a comprehensive impact analysis, the proposal is now slated for mid-2026—a small shift from the previously anticipated early-2026 timeline. This adjustment is intended to ensure ample engagement with both American and European stakeholders, thereby reinforcing the Commission’s commitment to informed and balanced policymaking in the evolving digital landscape.

Kim van Sparrentak Calls Out Rumours on DFA

On March 12, during the EU Consumers Day debate at the Parliament’s plenary, Green MEP Kim van Sparrentak voiced unease over persistent rumors suggesting that the Commission might diminish the ambition of legislations like the Digital Fairness Act to appease Trump and US tech giants.