Source: European Parliament
Regarding the questions of the Honourable Member, the Commission refers to the answer given to Written Question E-002915/2024.
‘ The Commission is aware that Google had launched a temporary test, removing EU press publishers’ content from its services for 1% of users in eight Member States, including Denmark.
The test ended on the 4 February 2025. The Commission considers that Google is entitled to conduct a time-limited test affecting a small part of users, provided it complies with obligations under applicable EU law.’
The answer provided to Written Question E-002915/2024 also pointed to the comprehensive set of EU legal tools to safeguard the flow of information in the internal market. The Commission will apply these rules, where relevant together with Member States.
In particular, the Digital Services Act (DSA)[1] includes a risk mitigation framework that specifically covers systemic risks for election integrity and civic discourse.
In February 2025, the Commission and the European Board for Digital Services endorsed the official integration of the voluntary Code of Practice on Disinformation (‘the Code’)[2] into the framework of the DSA.
Full adherence to the Code may be considered as an appropriate risk mitigation measure for signatories designated as very large online platforms (VLOPs) and search engines (VLOSEs) under the DSA.
The Code aims to combat disinformation risks, including to the civic discourse and electoral processes, while fully upholding the freedom of expression and enhancing transparency. Google is a signatory to specific elements of the Code.