50 Amendments of Henna VIRKKUNEN related to 2016/2276(INI)
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
Citation 6 a (new)
- having regard to the Commission communication of 10 January 2017 on Building a European Data Economy (COM(2017)0009) and the accompanying Commission staff working document (SWD(2017)0002),
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas a data driven economy depends on a wider ICT ecosystem to succeed, including high-educated experts as well as skilled people;
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the evolving development and use of internet platforms for a wide set of activities, including commercial activities and sharing goods and services, have changed the ways in which consumers, companies and other users interact with content and goods providers;
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the e-Commerce Directive exempts intermediaries from liability for content only if they play a neutral, merely technical, automatic and passive role in relation to the hosted content;
Amendment 41 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas numerous online platforms not only provide access to goods and services, but also play a more activen important role in relation to consumers and other actors;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
F a. whereas a high and consistent level of consumer protection and satisfaction across all digital services necessarily entails choice, flexibility, information and trust in a secure online environment with high-level of data protection;
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F b (new)
Recital F b (new)
F b. whereas some online platforms serve as gateways, serious concerns arise when they become gatekeepers restricting access to consumers and to business opportunities, in particular where they also compete directly in downstream markets, for which they control access to ;
Amendment 76 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Acknowledges that online platforms benefit today’s digital economy and society by increasing the choices available to consumers and creating and shaping new markets; points out, however, that online platforms present possible new policy and regulatory challenges;
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Believes that better regulation in the digital age requires principle-based legislation coupled with complementary non-regulatory actions to effectively adapt to new technologies and new business models to prevent fragmentation of the single market;
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls that, although many pieces of EU legislation, inter alia competition, data protection and consumer protection rules, apply to online platforms, it is frequently the case that they are not enforced properly or have not been adapted to the online world;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Considers that EU legislation should be guided by the concept of "as little as possible and as much as necessary", which means necessity of rules fitting for digital age and open and technologically neutral enough to accommodate future developments;
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that there is currently no consensus on thea legally relevant definition of online platforms due to the multitude of different types of platforms, which may lead to fragmentation of the EU’s internal market, if the Member States begin to make their own definitions and legislations for online platforms;
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Appreciates the Commission's initiative to analyse the role of platforms in the Digital Economy, ensuring a comprehensive and similar approach to framework across the digital market; considers that "a one size fits all" solution may have a chilling effect on innovation and put European companies at a competitive disadvantage in the global economy;
Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Notes that online platforms can take many forms and many different approaches can be taken to identify one; notes that a platform can be identified as a business model characterized by two or more groups of customers that rely on a catalyst to facilitate a value adding interaction, in a different setting an online platform can be seen to have infrastructural elements and comprise of networks, databases and even hardware, an online platform can also be identified through the service it provides or through the group it coordinates; notes, furthermore, that a platform can be also an ecosystem of companies working to produce interconnected or independent goods and services for one another or to third parties;
Amendment 121 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Believes that an online platform is a highly contextual concept and rather than considering online platforms through an all-encompassing definition, it is more consistent within the framework of European law to consider online platforms as a collection of different legally adequate elements, which can be used to determine which legal rule shall apply;
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Notes that online platforms use the internet as a means of interaction and act as facilitators between the demand and supply sides providing therefore benefits to a wide range of economic operators, including SMEs, and consumers;
Amendment 137 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Notes that online platforms take advantage of the enormous and ever-and online apps many of them conceived by European app developers are increasing numberly present ofn mobile devices;
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines that the increasingly widespread use of smart devices, including smartphones and tablets has further extended access to online platforms, thereby enhancing their role in the economy and society, particularly among young people, but more and more among all age groups;
Amendment 149 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Notes the growing role of online platforms in sharing and providing access to news and other information valuable for citizens as well as for the functioning of democracy;
Amendment 155 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Urges the Commission to continue to promote the growth of European online platforms and strengthen their ability to compete globally; regrets the EU’s low share of market capitalisation on online platforms; stresses the importance of removing obstacles that hamper the smooth operation of online platforms across borders and disrupt the functioning of the European digital internal market; underscores that new legislation may have the potential to affect disproportionately European platforms and startups that do not have the scale of competitors from other continents;
Amendment 163 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Recognises the benefits that online platforms offer for SMEs; notes that online platforms are often the easiest and most suitable first step for small businesses who want to go online and benefit from online distribution channels; notes that online platforms allow SMEs to access global markets without excessive investments in costly digital infrastructure;
Amendment 167 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Recognises the benefits that online platforms offer for SMEs and start-ups; notes that online platforms allow SMEsboth to access global markets without excessive investments in costly digital infrastructure;
Amendment 173 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Urges the Commission to prioritise actions that allow European start-ups and new European online platforms to emerge and to scale up; stresses that facilitating investments in start-ups is vital to the development of online platforms in Europe; emphasizes that an open environment characterized by fair competition is crucial in this regard;
Amendment 183 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Notes that some online platforms realise the collaborative economy and contribute to the growth of collaborative economy in Europe; welcomes the Commission communication on the collaborative economy, which supports the development of new business models; stresses that these new business models offer new services and greater choice for consumers as well as provide flexibility for employees;
Amendment 188 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Notes that online health platforms can support innovative activities by creating and transferring relevant knowledge from engaged healthcare consumers towards innovating healthcare environment; stresses that a new innovation platforms will co-design and co-create the next generation of innovative healthcare products so that they precisely match current unmet needs;
Amendment 218 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Notes that certainsome stakeholders are dissatisfied with the implementation and enforcement of the current rules on liability and welcomes the Commission’s undertaking to publish guidelines on intermediary liability; calls on the Commission to draw attention to the regulatory differences between the online and offline world and to create a level playing field for comparable services online and offline;
Amendment 229 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Considers that the liability rules for online platforms should allow the tackling of issues related to illegal goods and illegal and harmful content in an efficient manner, for instance by respecting the duty of care, while maintaining a balanced and business- friendly approach;
Amendment 243 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Stresses the need for online platforms to prevent illegal goods and illegal and inappropriate content and unfair practices through regulatory, effective self- regulatory or hybrid measures; stresses the importance of online platforms playing a proactive role in tackling illegal goods and illegal and inappropriate content and taking immediate action to remove illegal or inappropriate content if such content slips through preventive monitoring; notes that online platforms are not always able to assess and establish the illegality of content and any measure imposed as voluntarily or otherwise must take into account possible consequences of censorship and effects on freedom of speech and the openness of the internet;
Amendment 261 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Considers that online platforms should develop more effective voluntary measures and technical means tof identifying and eliminatinge illegal and harmful content in particular in areas such as incitement to terrorism, hate speech and child sexual abuse;
Amendment 262 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Considers that online platforms should develop and adopt more effective voluntary measures and technical means of identifying and eliminating harmfulillegal content; welcomes the industry Code of Conduct on countering illegal hate speech, supported by the Commissiont;
Amendment 278 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Urges the Commission to ensure a level playing field for online platforms service providers and other services with which they compete; stresses that regulatory certainty is essential to creating a thriving digital economy; notes that competitive pressures vary between different sectors and therefore ‘one-size- fits-all’ solutions are rarely appropriate and tailor-made solutions are necessary to take into consideration due to the various characteristics of different kinds of online platforms;
Amendment 295 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Draws attention to the fact that the size of online platforms varies from global giants to micro-enterprises; stresses the importance of fair and effective competition between online platforms to avoid the creation of monopolies that distort the markets; stresses that facilitating the switching between online platforms or online services is an essential measure in preventing market failures and in avoiding lock-in situations;
Amendment 296 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Draws attention to the fact that the size of online platforms varies from global giants to micro-enterprises; stresses the importance of fair and effective competition between online platforms to avoid the creation of monopolies that distort the markets due to abuse of market power; stresses that facilitating the switching between online platforms or online services is an essential measure in preventing market failures;
Amendment 299 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Underlines that possible reforms of the existing regulatory framework should concentrate on the harmonisation of rules and reducing regulatory fragmentation; emphasises the need to avoid over- regulation and to continue the REFIT process and the implementation of the better regulation principle; stresses the importance of technology neutrality and having the same rules apply online and offline; stresses that the regulatory certainty fosters competition, investments and innovations;
Amendment 309 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Underlines the importance of investments in infrastructure; stresses that a level playing field and fair competition ensure investments in quality, high-speed broadband services; stresses that reliable high-speed networks are the precondition of offering and using online platform services; stresses the need for net neutrality and fair and non-discriminatory access to online platforms;
Amendment 332 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Stresses the importance of transparency in relation to data collection and considers that online platforms must respond to users’ concerns by informing them more effectively about what personal data is collected and how it is shared and used in line with the EU data protection framework;
Amendment 344 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Underlines that the cross-border nature of online platforms represents a huge advantage in developing the Digital Single Market, but also requires better cooperation between national public authorities; asks the Commission to make better use of existing consumer protection services and mechanisms, which could provide identical and efficient consumer protection in relation to online platforms activities;
Amendment 359 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 d (new)
Paragraph 32 d (new)
32 d. Stresses the importance of greater transparency for users to understand how the information presented to them is filtered, shaped or personalised;
Amendment 360 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 e (new)
Paragraph 32 e (new)
32 e. Underlines that differences between sponsored and any other content must be clearly made, and that criteria used to rank offers of information, such as in search engines or comparison sites, must be known;
Amendment 404 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Notes that online payments offer ahigh level of transparency that helps to protect the rights of consumers and entrepreneurs and could be applied to the collection of data for taxation purposes, for example; notes that transparency facilitates the comparison of prices and transaction costs and increases the traceability of economic transactions and enables more efficient collection of taxes;
Amendment 405 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37 a. Considers that users' trust in digital services is vital to innovation and growth in the digital economy and that reinforcing that trust, i.e. through data protection and security standards, should be at the basis of both public policy and business models;
Amendment 411 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Stresses that a fair and innovation- friendly environment as well as investments in research and development are vital for generating new ideas and innovations; underlines the importance of open data and free flow of data for the development of new online platforms; notes that open, advanced and shared test networks can be an asset for Europe;
Amendment 414 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)
Paragraph 38 a (new)
38 a. Considers that the development and improvement of digital skills should take place through major investment in education with a double objective: to form a highly skilled workforce able to retain and create technological jobs and to terminate the digital illiteracy, source of digital divide and exclusion;
Amendment 419 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Stresses that, in relation to this specific business model, the traditional reasoning inherent in EU competition law may no longer be fit for purpose and proportionate more flexible and timely solutions for digital markets should be envisaged to complement competition law; stresses the importance of effective enforcement of the existing competition law;
Amendment 425 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Is concerned about problematic B2B practices by some online platforms, such as a lack of transparency (e.g. in search results), ownership of data or pricing policies), possible unfair terms and conditions and possible abuses of the dual role of platforms as intermediaries and competitors;
Amendment 431 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40 b (new)
Paragraph 40 b (new)
40 b. Welcomes the targeted fact-finding exercise on B2B practices to be conducted by Commission by spring 2017 and urges to present effective steps to ensure fair competition;
Amendment 437 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Welcomes the efforts made by the Commission to fight tax avoidance and harmful competitionabuse of market power and calls on the Member States and the Commission to propose further reforms to prevent tax avoidance practices in the EU;
Amendment 450 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Regrets that the EU’s presence in the world market is barely felt, in particular due to the current fragmentation of the digital market, legal uncertainty and the lack of financing and capacity to market technological innovations, which make it difficult for European companies to become world leaders in this new globally competitive economy;
Amendment 451 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Regrets that the EU’s presence in the world market is barely feltregrettably low, in particular due to the current fragmentation of the digital market, legal uncertainty and the lack of financing and capacity to market technological innovations, which make it difficult for European companies to become world leaders in this new economy;
Amendment 460 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45 a (new)
Paragraph 45 a (new)
45 a. Considers that the EU must now establish a positive agenda to imagine the world of tomorrow and carve out a central role within it;