The European Commission and the European network of consumer authorities have closed their investigation into Meta’s messaging app WhatsApp following a complaint made by BEUC together with eight of its members in July 2021. It results in a mere commitment by the company to do better in the future. The news is a disappointment for consumers.

BEUC and the Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue (TACD) – a network of 77 consumer and digital rights organisations – are concerned about the EU-US ‘joint roadmap’ on artificial intelligence (AI) developed as part of the Trade and Technology Council. Ahead of a public event focused on the roadmap today (16/02), we are calling on policymakers to make sure the roadmap does not interfere with how AI is regulated in either the EU or US.

Today, the European Chemicals Agency published details of a request by four EU Member States and Norway to restrict the use of Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). PFAS are a family of greaseproof, waterproof, and non-stick industrial chemicals used in many consumer products. Examples include clothing, carpets, cleaning agents, as well as oil-repellent and heat-resistant food packaging.

BEUC welcomes the European Commission’s antitrust decision to accept commitments from Amazon to allow more competition on its online marketplace.