European Commission - Daily News Daily News 17 / 02 / 2026 Brussels, 17 February 2026 Commission launches investigation into Shein under the Digital Services Act Today, the European Commission has opened formal proceedings against Shein, under the Digital Services Act, for its addictive design, the lack of transparency of recommender systems, as well as the sale of illegal products, including child sexual abuse mater...
European Commission - Daily News Daily News 17 / 02 / 2026 Brussels, 17 February 2026 Commission launches investigation into Shein under the Digital Services Act Today, the European Commission has opened formal proceedings against Shein, under the Digital Services Act, for its addictive design, the lack of transparency of recommender systems, as well as the sale of illegal products, including child sexual abuse material. Henna Virkkunen , Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, said: “ In the EU, illegal products are prohibited – whether they are on a store shelf or on an online marketplace. The Digital Services Act keeps shoppers safe, protects their wellbeing and empowers them with information about the algorithms they are interacting with. We will assess whether Shein is respecting these rules and their responsibility. ” The Commission will now carry out an in-depth investigation as a matter of priority. The opening of formal proceedings does not prejudge the outcome. Find more information in our press release . (For more information: Thomas Regnier - Tel.: +32 2 299 10 99; Patricia Poropat - Tel.: +32 2 298 04 85) Two years of Digital Services Act allows 50 million content moderation decisions by platforms to be reversed In just two years, online platforms have reversed almost 50 million decisions affecting users' content or accounts, helping users exercise their Digital Services Act (DSA) rights online in the EU. With the DSA, users in the EU are more empowered online, online platforms face greater accountability, and the online environment is more transparent. This instrument, the first of its kind in the world, gave users the right to challenge platforms' content moderation decisions that affect, suspend, delete or ‘shadow ban' their content or accounts. Since its application, 30% of 165 million content moderation decisions that users appealed through the platforms' internal mechanisms have been reversed. Notably, in the first half of 2025, 99% of content moderation decisions were taken by platforms to enforce their own terms and conditions, rather than to remove content reported as illegal under EU or national law. In the first half of 2025, out-of-court settlement bodies reviewed over 1,800 disputes related to content on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok in the EU, overturning the platforms' decisions in 52% of the closed cases - restoring content and accounts, in a faster and cheaper way than going to court. The DSA has also driven concrete changes in user safety and wellbeing. Targeted advertisements to minors on online platforms are prohibited since 2024 in the EU, thanks to this legislation. The DSA also obliges online marketplaces to counter the spread of illegal goods, improve the traceability of traders, and quickly inform customers who purchased any illegal product on their marketplace, offering options for redress. An additional merit of this legislation is that researchers and civil society have unprecedented access to information on platforms' processes and content moderation practices in the EU. Furthermore, they can hold platforms accountable for their decisions. (For more information: Thomas Regnier - Tel.: +32 2 299 10 99; Patricia Poropat - Tel.: +32 2 298 04 85) Commission adopts proposals for the signing, provisional application and conclusion of EU- UK Agreement in respect of Gibraltar Today, the European Commission has adopted its proposals for the signature and provisional application, as well as for the conclusion of an agreement in respect of Gibraltar between the European Union and the United Kingdom. The main objective of the EU-UK agreement in respect of Gibraltar is to secure the future prosperity of the whole region. This objective will be reached by removing all physical barriers on persons and goods circulating between Spain and Gibraltar, while fully safeguarding Schengen, the EU's Single Market, and its Customs Union. Maroš Šefčovič, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency said: “ Our goal has been clear and strategic: to secure long-term prosperity for the region, while fully safeguarding Schengen, the EU Single Market and our Customs Union. With 15,000 people crossing daily between Gibraltar and Spain, this is about legal certainty, confidence for businesses and people as well as a cooperative future that reinforces our mutual relationship. ” Today's agreement will bring confidence and legal certainty to the lives and well-being of the people of the whole region by promoting shared prosperity and close and constructive relations between the Gibraltar and Spanish authorities. The EU-UK deal in respect of Gibraltar is the last element that will complete the legal framework of the relations between the EU and the United Kingdom after Brexit. Gibraltar is not included in the scope of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement , signed in 2020 and in force since 2021. Following a political agreement on key principles reached in June 2025 between Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, with UK Foreign secretary Lammy and Gibraltar Chief Minister Picardo, the negotiating teams finalised the legal text in December. A press release is available online . (For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Saul Louis Goulding - Tel.: +32 2 296 47 35) EU updates its list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes Today, the EU updated its list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. The list reflects the EU's firm commitment to tax transparency and fair taxation globally. It is based on a process of screening according to internationally accepted tax good governance criteria. Based on the progress made by the jurisdictions concerned, EU finance and economy ministers, gathering for today´s Council of the EU, decided to remove Fiji, Samoa and Trinidad and Tobago from Annex I (list of non-cooperative jurisdictions) after they successfully addressed long lasting deficiencies. This is a testament to the continued efforts that partner countries make and the impact that the EU list can have in supporting the uptake of international standards. Furthermore, the update also registers positive developments in some other jurisdictions in Annex I, reflecting ongoing efforts towards addressing outstanding areas of concern. The Council also decided to add Viet Nam and the Turks and Caicos Islands to Annex I (list of non-cooperative jurisdictions) due to failure to comply with internationally agreed standards on tax transparency and fair taxation. The Council regretted these developments and has invited both jurisdictions to engage with the EU's Code of Conduct Group and other competent international fora to resolve these issues. Following these changes, the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions comprises 10 territories: American Samoa, Anguilla, Guam, Palau, Panama, the Russian Federation, Turks and Caicos, US Virgin Islands, Vanuatu and Viet Nam . Additionally, changes were also made to the state of play document (Annex II), which reflects the ongoing EU cooperation with its international partners and lists pending commitments. Its purpose is to recognise ongoing constructive work in the field of taxation, and to encourage the positive approach taken by cooperative jurisdictions to implement tax good governance standards. Antigua and Barbuda and The Seychelles are being removed from Annex II after taking the necessary steps to ensure compliance with the international standard on exchange of information on request. In view of the steps already taken, Brunei Darussalam has been granted additional time to deliver on its commitment to amend its harmful preferential tax regime. As a result, Annex II currently includes 9 jurisdictions: Belize, British Virgin Islands, Brunei Darussalam, Eswatini, Greenland, Jordan, Montenegro, Morocco and Türkiye . The EU will closely monitor these commitments and continue to actively engage with these partner countries. The EU list is updated twice a year, to reflect changes in jurisdictions' tax policies and cooperation levels. This ensures that it remains relevant and accurate over time. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Kateřina Horáková - Tel.: +32 2 299 93 10) Commission launches new European partnership to strengthen pandemic research and preparedness Today, the European Commission launched BE READY, a new European partnership for pandemic preparedness. BE READY will strengthen the EU's capacity to anticipate, prevent and respond rapidly to epidemics and pandemics. Benefitting from €120 million in EU funding, the partnership will launch annual joint transnational calls that will foster collaboration across Europe and beyond with the aim of increasing knowledge and strengthening readiness for emerging health threats. Bringing together 81 organisations from 27 countries, BE READY is coordinated by the French ANRS- Infectious Emerging Diseases-MIE . It culminates many years of European research investment in pandemic preparedness and response through the European research and innovation framework programme (Horizon Europe), which has invested to this end over €1.8 billion since 2020. The first joint transnational call will be launched with 21 funding organisations and will focus on research aiming for a better understanding of the pandemic potential of emerging pathogens and developing innovative medical countermeasures. Ekaterina Zaharieva , Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, said: “Europe's pandemic preparedness must be built on sound scientific foundations. That is why we are making €120 million from the Horizon Europe budget available for the BE READY partnership. Through BE READY, we are putting our citizens' health first while reinforcing Europe's innovation leadership.” Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, said: “BE READY is Europe's next bold step forward, turning research into real resilience. It puts research at the heart of preparedness, so people can get medicines, vaccines and vital tools faster when a crisis hits. We are working across borders and institutions to build a stronger Europe, ready to anticipate health threats and respond quickly when lives are at stake.” (For more information: Maciej Berestecki - Tel: +32 229-66483; Isabel Arriaga e Cunha – Tel: +32 229-52117) Commission clears creation of joint venture by Nippon Steel and Sumitomo The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the creation of a joint venture by Nippon Steel Corporation and Sumitomo Corporation, both of Japan. The transaction relates primarily to the leasing of Oil Country Tubular Goods made from corrosion- resistant alloy. The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the limited impact on the European Economic Area. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.12304 . (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 229 94774) Commission clears acquisition of Hologic by Blackstone and TPG The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Hologic, Inc. by Blackstone Inc. and TPG Inc., all of the US. The transaction relates primarily to the development, manufacturing and supply of healthcare-related products and systems. The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given that the companies are not active in the same or vertically related markets. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.12249 . (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 229 94774) Commission clears acquisition of Project Informatica by EMK The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Project Informatica S.r.l. of Italy by EMK Capital Management Limited (‘EMK') of Jersey. The transaction relates primarily to IT infrastructure solutions and services. The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the companies' limited combined market position resulting from the proposed transaction. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission's competition website , in the public case register under the case number M.12242 . (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 229 94774) ANNOUNCEMENTS Executive Vice-President Ribera and Commissioner Jørgensen to discuss energy security, affordability and sustainability with global partners Tomorrow and Thursday, Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera , and Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen , will participate in the International Energy Agency's (IEA) biennial Ministerial Meeting in Paris. The meeting will bring together government and industry representatives from around the world to discuss critical trends in the energy sector. It will focus, in particular, on affordability, sustainability, and security, which are key priorities for the European Commission. Executive Vice-President Ribera will deliver introductory remarks on secure, affordable and sustainable energy systems at around 15:00 CET. She will also deliver the opening remarks at the IEA Energy Innovation Forum , an event running alongside, on the topic of technology innovation and supply chains' role in national competitiveness strategies. Following these engagements, she will hold a number meetings with governmental and industry representative participating. Commissioner Jørgensen will engage with his counterparts in high-level dialogues and meetings. Discussions will touch upon energy security, including Ukraine's, energy access and clean cooking solutions, as well as supply chains for clean energy technologies. On Thursday, the Commissioner will also participate in the Energy Innovation Forum to exchange on policies fostering energy innovation and the development of supportive innovation ecosystems. Some sessions of the event will be livestreamed . (For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Cristiana Marchitelli – Tel: +32 2 298 94 07) Executive Vice-President Virkkunen in India for summit on artificial intelligence From tomorrow to Friday, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen , will represent the European Union at the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi. Her visit highlights the EU's commitment to strengthening its partnership with India and shaping global AI governance at a pivotal moment for Europe's prosperity and security. As AI drives economic growth and geopolitical influence, the EU is advancing an approach that combines innovation, trust and international cooperation. Tomorrow, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen will join an industry roundtable on EU–India cooperation in AI skills and talent mobility, bringing together business associations and stakeholders from both sides. She will also deliver opening remarks at the launch of the European Legal Gateway Office pilot, alongside Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner , who will intervene remotely. Announced by President Ursula von der Leyen at the 16th EU–India Summit , the initiative aims to connect European companies with India's ICT talent base, in line with Member States' needs. Wednesday, the Executive Vice-President will take part in the opening session hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and join the Leaders' Plenary. She will hold meetings with partners including Canada, New Zealand and the United States, and engage with business leaders and the Federation of European Businesses in India to promote Europe's tech investment offer. Friday, she will participate in a ministerial meeting and speak at EU sessions on the AI Code of Practice and AI innovation. She will also meet with key partners, including Australia, the United Kingdom, Brazil and Morocco, as well as with India's Minister of Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, to advance the EU–India trade and technology collaboration. Throughout her visit, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen will underline Europe's strengths — a large single market, strong industrial base and stable democratic framework — and emphasise the EU's ambition to accelerate AI deployment, scale innovation and work with trusted partners such as India to ensure AI remains human-centric, secure and aligned with democratic values. (For more information: Thomas Regnier — Tel. +32 2 299 10 99; Nika Blazevic — Tel. +32 2 299 27 17) Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings Note that these items can be subject to changes. Upcoming events of the European Commission Eurostat press releases Calendar items of the President and Commissioners Individual calendars of the President and Commissioners MEX/26/426
Speech Brief