Brussels seeks tougher action against online sales tactics
The European Commission presents proposals for rules targeting manipulative online shops, misleading influencers and difficult subscription cancellations.
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The European Commission presented a package of proposals on Wednesday to better protect consumers in the digital economy. The plan focuses on manipulative design choices, online sales practices, influencer advertising and the cancellation of digital subscriptions.
The proposals are not yet law. Through a Digital Fairness Act, the Commission wants to adapt existing consumer rules to online services and improve enforcement between member states. It is also proposing targeted changes to the Consumer Rights Directive, including for recurring purchases in apps and the termination of digital media subscriptions.
According to the Commission, consumers should be able to see more clearly what they are paying for, and companies should not use design choices to push them towards a purchase, subscription or longer period of use. This could include digital environments where a prominent button encourages a purchase, while information about terms or cancellation is less visible. The precise prohibitions and obligations still have to be set out in European legislation.
The proposals also affect influencers and companies that promote products through social media. The Commission wants to prevent commercial messages or recommendations from being presented in ways that make it difficult for consumers to recognise that they are advertising. The package therefore builds on existing European rules, but according to the explanatory notes Brussels is primarily seeking to clarify enforcement and application in digital environments.
For Dutch online shops and platforms, this could mean that they have to adapt their order pages, subscription processes and advertising rules. Companies operating in several EU countries in particular could face a single European framework and stricter oversight by national regulators. The Commission says that companies competing fairly will benefit from greater legal clarity.
The proposals still have to go to the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union. Their content and implementation date may change there. The core of the news is therefore a policy intention, not an immediate ban: consumers will receive new rights only after the European legislators have reached agreement and the rules have been introduced.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The European Commission has presented new proposals for digital consumer protection.
- The proposals still have to be considered by the European Parliament and the Council.
- The precise obligations for companies have not yet been definitively established.
Left
Arguments Emphasises that consumers need protection from addictive design, hidden terms and power imbalances with large platforms.
Values Consumer protection, fairness and limiting market power.
Consequences Sees potentially higher compliance costs for companies, but expects less harm from deception and manipulation.
Centre
Arguments Supports clear European basic rules, but wants obligations to remain workable, enforceable and proportionate.
Values Legal certainty, uniform rules and practical enforcement.
Consequences Expects digital services to adapt gradually, with scope for adjustments based on practical experience.
Right
Arguments Warns that Brussels is prescribing too much about how companies should organise their websites and marketing, and that innovation could slow.
Values Business freedom, freedom of choice and restrained regulation.
Consequences Fears higher costs, less choice and a competitive disadvantage compared with companies outside the EU.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article's central claims are based directly on the European Commission's announcement and an independent news source. The piece clearly distinguishes between a proposal and legislation in force.
- confirmed The European Commission presented a package of proposals for digital consumer protection on 11 November 2026. — This is stated in the Commission's publication and explanatory notes. source
- confirmed The package includes a Digital Fairness Act and changes concerning consumer enforcement and consumer rights. — The Commission explicitly names these three components. source
- confirmed The proposals are not yet legislation in force. — The proposals still have to be considered by Parliament and the Council. source
- confirmed The plans affect influencers, online shops and subscription cancellations, among other things. — These topics are mentioned in the Commission presentation and the Tagesschau description. source
Editor's note
It is certain that the European Commission presented a package of proposals on 11 November. The proposals are not yet definitive law; details may change during the European process.Sources
- College read-out over de Digital Fairness Act en consumentenhandhaving — Europese Commissie
- Geplande strengere EU-regels voor influencers en onlineshops — Tagesschau
More on this in Dutch media
- AD — „consumentenrecht webwinkels”
- RTL Nieuws — „consumentenrecht webwinkels”
- FD — „consumentenrecht webwinkels”