Connect Europe and GSMA response to Call for Evidence for an Impact Assessment on the Digital Fairness Act
We urge the EU to simplify consumer rules, harmonise laws and curb addictive design features in the Digital Fairness Act: a smarter Digital Single Market is possible.
As well-established providers of connectivity solutions in Europe, Connect Europe and the GSMA agree with the European Commission (EC) that consumers play a key role in contributing to the market economy as co-drivers for a competitive Single Market, along with providers of connectivity services. We also support the Commission’s push for a Digital Single Market through simplified and harmonised rules for businesses to eliminate fragmentation.
Europe can boast of its strong consumer protection rules, which are world-class. However, this does not mean that the current framework cannot be improved. To sustain this position, the applicable consumer protection frameworks also need to evolve. We urge the EC to be bold in reviewing current rules, while at the same time exercising restraint in proposing a plethora of new ones. The current framework could already cover a broad range of the mentioned issues, but often lacks enforcement. If the Commission comes to the conclusion that new rules are needed horizontally, it should also be ensured that any new rules are enforceable, given the resources that will eventually be needed for every new administrative procedure.
