Dispatch from Brussels: Updates on EU tech policy - April 2025
AI
EU’s AI Plan: On 9 April, the EU Commission published it’s AI Continent Action Plan. The plan, which rests on 5 key pillars (computing infrastructure, Data, Skills, Development of algorithms and adoption, and simplification of rules) is the the EU Commission’s big plan to turn Europe into the “leading AI continent”. You can find our initial summary of the plan here.
Public consultations: Alongside the plan, the EU Commission opened two public consultations, one for the Cloud and AI Development Act, and one for the Apply AI Strategy. Both will play an important role in shaping the implementation of the EU’s AI Continent Action Plan, with the latter consultation also including specific questions on the challenges in the AI Act implementation process. techUK will seek to answer these consultations in the most effective way in the coming weeks.
Digital Fairness
Digital Fairness Act (DFA): The act is being designed to tackle manipulative and unethical practices in the digital space (such as the use of so called “dark patterns”). Speaking at the European Retail Innovation Summit in Brussels on 9 April, Commissioner McGrath reiterated that the DFA will draw upon the findings of the Digital Fairness Check and that a public consultation is due to launch “in the coming weeks”, with a legislative proposal expected by Q3 2026.
Data flows
EU-US Data Framework: On 1 April, French MP Philippe Latombe, who had launched a challenge seeking the annulment of the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF) back in 2023, had his first hearing at the General Court of the European Union. The court will issue a decision in a few weeks or months. It is important to note that the case could find itself appealed to the Court of Justice of the EU should one of the concerned parties by dissatisfied (which would add months to the procedure. The annulment of the EU-US DPF would surely raise key concerns regarding the functioning of a potentially renewed EU-UK data adequacy decision, which is why techUK will keep a close eye on these developments.
GDPR Procedural Rules: The next interinstitutional negotiations on the GDPR procedural regulation meant to take place in April has now been postponed. The proposed regulation is meant to provide authorities with concrete procedural rules when applying the GDPR, especially in cases that affect individuals across multiple Member States. The last draft text from February can be found here.
Simplification Agenda
GDPR: On 3 April, EU Commissioner McGrath announced that the GDPR simplification will be presented as a specific proposal in the coming weeks by the Commission and will be a “part of the forthcoming omnibus package”. The package in question is the so-called simplification package for small and medium-sized businesses which, while originally planned for 16 April 2025, is now expected for 21 May 2025.
AI Liability Directive: The Directive which was withdrawn from the Commission’s work programme back in February still finds itself brought up in key institutional exchange. In a question to EU Tech Commissioner Henna Virkunnen, the European Parliament’s IMCO committee members inquired into the rationale behind withdrawing the Liability directive (on 8 April). A similar question was raised by the JURI committee (9 April). Following this, MEPs Axel Voss (who had been appointed as the main rapporteur for the file), and Brando Benifei (Rapporteur for the AI Act), published a letter addressed to the Commission, expressing their disappointment and concern at the withdrawal of the AI liability directive. While there are no plans to bring the directive back, it will be important to see if the expressed dissatisfaction gathers further momentum.
EU Single Market
Own Initiative Report: The own initiative report by the European Parliament is still in its draft stages, however it gives us an insight into the Parliament’s stances on the EU Commission’s competitiveness agenda and its simplification objectives
Cybersecurity
EU’s Internal Security Strategy: the Strategy which was published on 1 April touched upon key challenges related to technology and ensuring high levels of cybersecurity in the EU. One of the notable announcements in the strategy was commitment by the Commission to “present a Technology Roadmap on encryption to identify and assess technological solutions to enable lawful access to data by law enforcement authorities in 2026”
Quantum
Quantum strategy and Quantum Act: the Quantum Strategy and Quantum Act, which will build upon existing legislation like the EU’s Chips Act and seek to create a build the foundations to secure the EU’s position as a leading global hub in commercial quantum solutions, have been delayed. The Strategy is now scheduled for June 2025, while the Act is scheduled for Q1 2026.
For more information on any of the above, please contact:
Theophile Maiziere
Policy Manager - EU, techUK
Theo joined techUK in 2024 as EU Policy Manager. Based in Brussels, he works on our EU policy and engagement.
Theo is an experienced policy adviser who has helped connect EU and non-EU decision makers.
Prior to techUK, Theo worked at the EU delegation to Australia, the Israeli trade mission to the EU, and the City of London Corporation’s Brussels office. In his role, Theo ensures that techUK members are well-informed about EU policy, its origins, and its implications, while also facilitating valuable input to Brussels-based decision-makers.
Theo holds and LLM in International and European law, and an MA in European Studies, both from the University of Amsterdam.
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Sabina Ciofu is Associate Director – International, running the International Policy and Trade Programme at techUK.
Based in Brussels, she leads our EU policy and engagement. She is also our lead on international trade policy, with a focus on digital trade chapter in FTAs, regulatory cooperation as well as broader engagement with the G7, G20, WTO and OECD.
As a transatlanticist at heart, Sabina is a GMF Marshall Memorial fellow and issue-lead on the EU-US Trade and Technology Council, within DigitalEurope.
Previously, she worked as Policy Advisor to a Member of the European Parliament for almost a decade, where she specialised in tech regulation, international trade and EU-US relations.
Sabina loves building communities and bringing people together. She is the founder of the Gentlewomen’s Club and co-organiser of the Young Professionals in Digital Policy. Previously, as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community, she led several youth civic engagement and gender equality projects.
She sits on the Advisory Board of the University College London European Institute, Café Transatlantique, a network of women in transatlantic technology policy and The Nine, Brussels’ first members-only club designed for women.
Sabina holds an MA in War Studies from King’s College London and a BA in Classics from the University of Cambridge.
Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade, techUK
Daniel Clarke
Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade, techUK
Dan joined techUK as a Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade in March 2023.
Before techUK, Dan worked for data and consulting company GlobalData as an analyst of tech and geopolitics. He has also worked in public affairs, political polling, and has written freelance for the New Statesman and Investment Monitor.
Dan has a degree in MSc International Public Policy from University College London, and a BA Geography degree from the University of Sussex.
Outside of work, Dan is a big fan of football, cooking, going to see live music, and reading about international affairs.
Theo joined techUK in 2024 as EU Policy Manager. Based in Brussels, he works on our EU policy and engagement.
Theo is an experienced policy adviser who has helped connect EU and non-EU decision makers.
Prior to techUK, Theo worked at the EU delegation to Australia, the Israeli trade mission to the EU, and the City of London Corporation’s Brussels office. In his role, Theo ensures that techUK members are well-informed about EU policy, its origins, and its implications, while also facilitating valuable input to Brussels-based decision-makers.
Theo holds and LLM in International and European law, and an MA in European Studies, both from the University of Amsterdam.
Lewis' programmes cover a range of policy areas within Market Access (international trade regulation, sanctions and export controls, technical standards and product compliance, supply chains) and Consumer Tech (media and broadcast policy, consumer electronics, and connected home technology).
Prior to joining techUK, Lewis worked in government affairs and policy roles for international trade associations in Southeast Asia including the American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce and the European Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia.
He holds an undergraduate degree in Social and Political Sciences from the University of Cambridge and an MSc in Public Policy & Management from SOAS University of London.
Tess joined techUK as an Policy and Public Affairs Team Assistant in November of 2024. In this role, she supports areas such as administration, member communications and media content.
Before joining the Team, she gained experience working as an Intern in both campaign support for MPs and Councilors during the Local and General Election and working for the Casimir Pulaski Foundation. As well as working for multiple charities on issues such as the climate crisis, educational inequality and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). Tess obtained her Bachelors of Arts in Politics and International Relations from University of Nottingham.
Theo joined techUK in 2024 as EU Policy Manager. Based in Brussels, he works on our EU policy and engagement.
Theo is an experienced policy adviser who has helped connect EU and non-EU decision makers.
Prior to techUK, Theo worked at the EU delegation to Australia, the Israeli trade mission to the EU, and the City of London Corporation’s Brussels office. In his role, Theo ensures that techUK members are well-informed about EU policy, its origins, and its implications, while also facilitating valuable input to Brussels-based decision-makers.
Theo holds and LLM in International and European law, and an MA in European Studies, both from the University of Amsterdam.
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