EU: A bid for tech sovereignty drives Commission’s Work Programme for 2026

At a time of geopolitical instability, the European Commission has vowed to make sovereignty and independence guiding principles in its Work Programme for 2026. While there is increasing policy momentum in favour of simplifying and streamlining digital regulation to boost EU competitiveness, the Commission is nevertheless planning to introduce several new regulatory initiatives. Industry players, who are still getting to grips with the breadth and complexity of the recent wave of recent EU digital legislation, have the prospect of further legislation on the horizon.

Below, we explore the most relevant initiatives for the digital, data and telecoms sectors.

1. Network technologies & innovation

Cloud and AI Development Act

A flagship legislative proposal, the Cloud and AI Development Act (Q1 2026), aims to bolster Europe’s capacity to develop, deploy and scale cloud and AI technologies. This initiative is in response to concern that Europe is overly dependent on US network technologies. The reliance of many EU business sectors on US cloud services could be regarded as a source of vulnerability at a time of trans-Atlantic trade tensions.

According to the Commission, the forthcoming Act will address regulatory gaps, promote interoperability and support the creation of a secure and competitive European cloud and AI ecosystem. In particular, the future proposal is expected to focus on issues that currently limit the expansion of EU data centre capacity. It also aims to address the lack of a competitive EU-based offer of large-scale cloud computing services.

Quantum Act

The forthcoming Quantum Act (Q2 2026) is expected to provide a framework for access to funding for quantum technologies. According to recent statements by Commission officials, it will be modeled more on the EU Chips Act than the AI Act and will include measures aimed at building a quantum ecosystem in Europe and securing supply chains. Above all, the Act will be designed to make key elements of the Quantum Europe Strategy operational by supporting the transition from science to commercialisation.

European Innovation Act

The European Innovation Act (Q1 2026) seeks to bring innovative ideas to market, particularly in the digital and data-driven sectors. It aims to address challenges in commercialising research results, strengthen collaboration between the industry and the academia, and improve access of innovative companies to markets, finance, talent and infrastructures. Overall, the proposal is intended to create a more innovation-friendly regulatory, policy and investment environment across the EU, to give European innovators and start-ups the tools they need to grow and scale within the EU and compete globally.

2. Consumer protection

Digital Fairness Act

Planned for Q4 2026, the Digital Fairness Act (DFA) is a consumer protection initiative designed to address what the Commission has identified as unfair and deceptive practices in the digital marketplace. Key areas likely to be addressed include addictive design (for example, to encourage infinite scrolling) and “dark patterns" – user interfaces that manipulate users into making unintended decisions or purchases online.

The DFA is expected to target marketing by social media influencers who do not disclose the commercial nature of their content. It will also address aspects of online profiling, especially with respect to minors, or where consumer vulnerabilities are exploited for commercial purposes. In addition, pricing models are under scrutiny with a focus on marketing practices such as drip pricing, i.e. showing an initial low price but increasing fees through additional costs, and dynamic pricing, i.e. adjusting prices in real-time according to demand.

Cyberbullying and Europol

The Commission will introduce a non-legislative action plan against cyberbullying (Q1 2026) and strengthen Europol (Q2 2026) to address digital security threats.

3. Telecoms and connectivity

Digital Networks Act

The Digital Networks Act (DNA) is an expected legislative initiative aimed at updating the EU’s telecom regulatory framework and ensuring the deployment of high-capacity connectivity across the single market. While the proposal does not feature in the Commission’s 2026 Work Programme, given its initial adoption date was planned for December 2025, the latest Commission’s College agenda indicates that the presentation is now tentatively scheduled for 20 January 2026.

European critical communication system

A new legislative proposal (Q3 2026) will establish a pan-European critical communication system, connecting emergency services across borders. This initiative is designed to enhance crisis response capabilities.

4. Digital Single Market

28th Regime for Innovative Companies

This legislative initiative (Q1 2026) is intended to create a harmonised legal regime for innovative companies operating across the Single Market. It is designed to be an optional, harmonised legal code that companies can choose to adopt, enabling easier cross-border business by providing a single set of rules for aspects like company law, insolvency, labour and tax.

5. Evaluation Initiatives

The Work Programme includes an evaluation of the Chips Act (Q1 2026). It also foresees a legislative update to existing rules on audiovisual media services (Q3 2026).

Conclusion

While this article has highlighted some of the main digital-related initiatives, the Commission’s complete Work Programme lists a total of 38 new policy initiatives across all policy areas. Industry stakeholders will be looking to the Commission to reconcile its legislative ambitions with its simplification drive, in order to ease regulatory burdens on business.