EU Parliament: Social Democrats want to examine digital regulation

The Social Democrats in the European Parliament are seeking to establish an inquiry committee to scrutinize the implementation of the Digital Services Act (DSA). This move underscores the ongoing efforts to ensure the effective enforcement of digital regulations and enhance transparency within the digital sphere. The initiative aims to understand how the European Commission is executing its digital regulatory powers. The DSA, designed to address the influence of online services, sets forth binding rules for greater digital transparency and enhanced user rights. The proposed inquiry committee would grant access to Commission documents and allow for the questioning of witnesses. The committee's establishment requires 180 signatures from EU parliamentarians, representing a quarter of the total members. This investigation is particularly crucial given the "unresolved challenge" of unsafe products from third-country sellers entering the EU, an area also governed by the DSA. The Social Democrats are currently seeking support from other political groups, such as the Greens and Liberals. The process involves securing backing from the Parliament's Conference of Presidents and a majority vote in the plenary session. If successful, the inquiry could significantly influence how the DSA is enforced, potentially leading to stronger oversight of digital platforms and improved consumer protection. The last such committee investigated the use of Pegasus spyware.