04 Sep 2025
by Theo Maiziere

Dispatch from Brussels: Updates on EU tech policy


AI

Potential AI Act Delay: On 29 August, at an event, EU AI Office Director Lucilla Sioli indicated the European Union would soon decide whether or not to propose postponing elements of the EU’s AI Act (notably for developers and users of high risk AI systems). This potential delay will depend on the progress made on ongoing standardisation work ahead of a key meeting with EU member states this month.  

GPAI Code of Practice signatories : Last month, the EU Commission published the list of signatories to its GPAI Code of Practice. As a reminder, signing allows GPAI providers to adhere to the Code of Practice and allows them to benefit from streamlined compliance with AI Act obligations. The Commission will focus enforcement on monitoring signatories' adherence to the code, offering greater predictability and reduced administrative burden. 

Data flows  

EU Court decision on EU-US Data Adequacy Decision: On 3 September the General court of the Court of Justice of the European Union Union dismissed the action for annulment of the Trans-Atlantic Data Privacy Framework (case T-553/23). The case which was raised by French MP Philippe Latombe in 2023 may now be appealed within two months and ten days of notification of the decision. The annulment of the EU-US DPF would surely raise key concerns regarding the functioning of a potentially renewed EU-UK data adequacy decision, which is why techUK will keep a close eye on these developments. 

Digital Sovereignty 

Summit on European digital sovereignty: During the 25th Franco-German Council of Ministers on 29 August, France and Germany announced the organisation of a high-level summit focusing on European digital sovereignty on November 18, 2025, inviting the Commission of the EU, other EU Member States as well as business representatives and other stakeholders. This includes a high-level forum with key public and private actors in digitalisation from both countries. The parties will also use the summit as a starting point to mobilise European investment including especially strategic programs with private capital while making sure to align national and EU funds. 

Platforms   

Tech Commissioner defends DSA and DMA: On 1 September, in an attempt to defend EU tech rules against MAGA politician Jim Jordan, who is responsible for organising a US hearing that would have attacked them, tech commissioner Virkkunen published an open letter defending the DSA and DMA as “sovereign legislation of the European Union”.   


For more information on any of the above, please contact:

Theophile Maiziere

Theophile Maiziere

Policy Manager - EU, techUK

Theo joined techUK in 2024 as EU Policy Manager. Based in Brussels, he works on our EU policy and engagement.

Theo is an experienced policy adviser who has helped connect EU and non-EU decision makers.

Prior to techUK, Theo worked at the EU delegation to Australia, the Israeli trade mission to the EU, and the City of London Corporation’s Brussels office. In his role, Theo ensures that techUK members are well-informed about EU policy, its origins, and its implications, while also facilitating valuable input to Brussels-based decision-makers.

Theo holds and LLM in International and European law, and an MA in European Studies, both from the University of Amsterdam. 

Email:
[email protected]
Website:
www.techuk.org
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/in/théophile-maiziere-a32772111

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Theophile Maiziere

Policy Manager - EU, techUK

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Authors

Theo Maiziere

Theo Maiziere

Policy Manager - EU, techUK

Theo joined techUK in 2024 as EU Policy Manager. Based in Brussels, he works on our EU policy and engagement.

Theo is an experienced policy adviser who has helped connect EU and non-EU decision makers.

Prior to techUK, Theo worked at the EU delegation to Australia, the Israeli trade mission to the EU, and the City of London Corporation’s Brussels office. In his role, Theo ensures that techUK members are well-informed about EU policy, its origins, and its implications, while also facilitating valuable input to Brussels-based decision-makers.

Theo holds and LLM in International and European law, and an MA in European Studies, both from the University of Amsterdam. 

Read lessmore