On Monday 12 July, 2021, CERRE Academic Co-Director and co-author of CERRE’s recent work on the Digital Markets (DMA) and Digital Services (DSA) Acts, Alexandre de Streel, presented the outcomes of a report prepared by WIK-Consult, VVA, and the University of Namur, where Prof. Dr. de Streel is professor of law. The report, titled “Online targeted advertising: Impact on advertisers, market access and consumer choice”, was presented during a European Parliamentary hearing for the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO).
Prof. Dr. de Streel, who is the 2021 Chair of the EU Observatory on Online Platform Economy, outlined the opportunities and challenges raised by targeted online advertising before setting out recommendations to the European Parliament for better protection of both consumers and SMEs, with links to the DSA and DMA, respectively.
In order to better protect consumers, the report recommended:
- Making self-determination easier (for example, through meaningful transparency and meaningful choice for users);
- Ensuring discrimination is prevented;
- Cross-referencing other EU legislation to make sure minors are protected;
- Extending the DSA to cover other actors;
- Making the redress process easier; and
- Improving the organisation of national derogation (Article 3.4 ECD).
To protect SMEs, Prof. Dr. de Streel noted that the DMA draft, following the Parliament’s input, is going in the right direction but that there should be more transparency in ad auctions and a more level playing field for consumer data, as well as closer monitoring of anti-competitive behaviour and bundling.
Prof. Dr. de Streel proceeded to answer questions from MEPs.
The full presentation and Q&A session can be watched on the European Parliament website here. Prof. Dr. de Streel’s contribution begins at 15:15:35.
