iThe European Commission (the Commission) is taking steps to advance its vision of what it calls a “Digital Single Market” that will ensure “free movement of goods, persons, services and capital”; easy access to and use of online content and services; and fair competition in the digital marketplace, regardless of consumers’ and businesses’ nationality or place of residence. The Commission will investigate contractual, geographic barriers to e-commerce transactions, which may fragment digital markets in the European Union.
Depending on the investigation’s ultimate findings, the Commission may take several measures, including the following:
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Prohibitions on restricting online content and services on a geographic basis
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Telecommunication and online platform market inquiries
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Uniform consumer and contract rules
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Data protection reforms
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Simplified value-added tax rules
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Faster development of uniform standards
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Measures to help businesses integrate and harness new technologies
Companies should monitor future developments regarding the Commission’s pursuit of a Digital Single Market as they unfold.
