Salut la liste !
New year, old files. And a birthday party is coming up! Wikipedia is turning 25 this year and we are celebrating in Brussels on 18 March from 18:00 onwards. Please feel invited <https://wikimedia.brussels/wikipedia-25-party-invitation/> if you are in town! === Omnibuses === Last report we told you about the two digital omnibuses - a general one <https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/digital-omnibus-ai-regulation-proposal> and an AI one <https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/digital-omnibus-regulation-proposal>. The "general omnibus reshuffles parts of the GDPR and the rules on re-use of open government data. For us <https://wikimedia.brussels/editorial-wmeu-on-the-digital-omnibus-the-russmedia-decision/>, these are the two sticking points. Communia <https://communia-association.org/2025/12/05/the-digital-omnibus-and-open-data-risks-for-open-projects/>, of which WMEU is a member, is focusing on the open data aspects. EDRi, of which WMDE is a member, will concentrate on the data protection articles. The research libraries have a multilayered position <https://www.techpolicy.press/what-the-eus-digital-omnibus-means-for-researchers/> . — The European Parliament kicked off its work this week. We are expecting a quick paced process. Amendments planned to be discussed in February and votes in committees and plenary for March. The timeline may and probably will slip. The work on the general omnibus will be led by <https://oeil.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/en/procedure-file?reference=2025/0360(COD)>the Industry (ITRE) and Civil Liberties (LIBE) committees. The rapporteur in the latter is Marina Kaljurand (S&D EE). The AI omnibus <https://oeil.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/en/procedure-file?reference=2025/0359(COD)> will be steered by the Internal Market (IMCO) and Civil Liberties (LIBE) committees, with rapporteurs Arba Kokalari (EPP SE) and Michael McNamara (RE IE). — McNamara has said that he has “considerable concerns” about the lack of impact assessments. Kaljurand stated that she supports the Commission’s objectives to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy, but also that some of the proposed changes would complicate the legislation instead. --- Meanwhile in the Council, EU countries are already debating <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-ojlKWUalaYuOGBpG6fU0u_GzXrGeqfP/view?usp=sharing> their positions.They even have first compromise ideas floated by the Cypriot Presidency. The ambitious goal here is also to reach a negotiating position by the end of March. === DNA === The Digital Networks Act <https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/digital-networks-act>is a new regulatory framework proposed by the European Commission this month with the aim to boost investment in networks across the EU — The Act revisits how licenses and permissions are issued, seeking to shift more power to the EU from Member States and speed up processes. It also wants to bring tech companies that rely on telecoms to carry large amounts of content to the negotiating table. It is this part of the proposal that raised some eyebrows among net neutrality watchers. We will keep a close eye on them. We will also look out for amendment proposals that include language on data retention. === Report on Copyright and Generative AI=== The European Parliament’s Legal Affairs committee has passed an non-binding own-initiative report on Copyright and Generative AI <https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20260126IPR32636/protect-copyrighted-work-used-by-generative-ai-say-legal-affairs-meps>, led by rapporteur Axel Voss (EPP DE). It is a bit of a potpourri, asking for rightsholders to be given a practical tool to efficiently opt-out from AI training and for fairer remuneration, potentially through additional layers of rights. On the plus side, it recognises that AI training is covered by the TDM exceptions. Communia has a great write-up <https://communia-association.org/2026/01/28/ini-on-copyright-and-generative-ai-after-the-vote/>. The plenary vote is expected in March. === Consultation on Open Digital Ecosystem === The EU Commission recently published a call for evidence <https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/16213-European-Open-Digital-Ecosystems_en> asking for feedback on the European Open Digital Ecosystem Strategy. We worked together with the Wikimedia Foundation to submit our point of view, which highlights how Wikimedia projects are based on open source technologies and contribute to the digital public infrastructure ecosystem. You will find our submission on the portal <https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/16213-European-Open-Digital-Ecosystems/feedback_en?p_id=21875> in a few days. === Geoblocking Consultation === Last December, we submitted our position <https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/14416-Geo-blocking-Regulation-evaluation/F3526649_en> on the evaluation of the Geo-Blocking Regulation, whose aim is to address unjustified geo-blocking and other forms of discrimination based on a customer’s nationality, place of residence or place of establishment. — We focused on audiovisual services and copyrighted works and their accessibility across borders. Geoblocking makes it harder or impossible to check and cite numerous reliable sources. — The Commission will adopt an evaluation report in the second quarter of 2026, highlighting whether the Regulation has met its objectives or not and whether changes are needed. === ERA Consultation === The European Commission has gone through a public consultation on the European Research Area Act <https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/news/all-research-and-innovation-news/have-your-say-european-research-area-era-act-2025-10-14_en>. We expect a legislative proposal later this year. The stated aim is to make research and science more accessible. — Wikimedia Europe participated by voicing support for the idea of Secondary Publication Right <https://wikimedia.brussels/why-wikimedia-supports-secondary-publication-rights-for-publicly-funded-research/>for publicly funded research. The feedback outcome <https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/14608-European-Research-Area-Act/public-consultation_en> will eventually be published on the portal. === DEM Debate Project === The DEM-Debate project is coming to an end. Recently, we published the last deliverable, the critical legal analysis <https://wikimedia.brussels/dem-debate-project-the-critical-legal-analysis/>, which has been authored by the University of Amsterdam and critically evaluates how the new EU legal framework on election disinformation applies to Wikipedia. — On 24 February, we will hold the final event of the project at the European Parliament “Information Integrity & Wikipedia: How community-governed platforms can inform future policy-making”: researchers will have the chance to showcase the research and expose their conclusions taking the form of policy options. Do you want to join? Please register <https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/14608-European-Research-Area-Act/public-consultation_en>, both for online and in person participation. === New French Law on the protection of minors using social media === The French Parliament is busy with the adoption of a bill regarding the protection of minors from the risks they are exposed to by using social media <https://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/dyn/17/dossiers/proteger_mineurs_reseaux_sociaux_17e#SN1>. On 26 January, the National Assembly adopted, following the accelerated procedure, an amended text of the bill, which aims at introducing a ban to use online social media networks for minors of fifteen years old. — The bill, as it currently stands, provides for an exception for online encyclopaedias, educational and scientific repositories as well as platforms for the development and sharing of open and free software. Wikimédia France and Wikimedia Europe are working on this. === Swiss DSA === The Swiss government has proposed a DSA clone that is now being debated. The sexy sounding Bundesgesetz über Kommunikationsplattformen und Suchmaschinen (KomPG) <https://cms.news.admin.ch/dam/de/der-schweizerische-bundesrat/JHS1l1GdjmSX/Vorentwurf_DE.pdf>. It essentially copies many aspects from the DSA - internal complaint handling, out-of-court dispute settlements, local representatives, annual systemic risk and mitigation measures reports, as well as external audits. — The law speaks of online platforms with "economic activity" in Switzerland and that are used by more than 10% of the population. If Wikipedia is in scope the WMF probably already complies with most of the obligations, as they are very similar to the ones in the DSA. But the extra compliance and reporting would cost time and money. — There seems to be a contradiction about the scope, however. In the explanatory notes the government itself says that providers like the Wikimedia Foundation are not in scope, since they only target for-profits. However Swiss jurisprudence seems to include not-for-profit activities in the term "economic activity". Wikimedia Europe, Wikimedia CH and the Wikimedia Foundation are working on a consultation submission with the ask to clarify the scope. === Polish DSA Transposition === Poland’s digital ministry tabled two new laws to implement the EU’s Digital Services Act, something that should have already happened. This is a reaction to the veto of the passed regulation, which was issued by President Karol Nawrocki. The Polish President says he is concerned that the law will increase internet censorship. -- Wikimedia Europe ivzw
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