WASHINGTON – The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), the global voice of the tech sector, released the following statement today from Senior Vice President for Global Policy Josh Kallmer, reacting to the issuance by the European Commission of its Communication on Online Platforms and the Digital Single Market Opportunities and Challenges for Europe:

“We have long encouraged the European Commission to only pursue the regulation of online platforms when there is specific evidence of concrete harm to consumers or competition that is not already addressed by existing law,” Kallmer said. “We are pleased the Commission has decided to focus on concrete problems and will identify opportunities to use self-regulation and related principles where appropriate. We also welcome the Commission’s decision to continue its balanced approach to intermediary liability for platforms based largely on the existing E-Commerce Directive.”

Kallmer also recognized that in pursuing the historic Digital Single Market initiative, the EU must carefully consider how to advance important public interests, whether that involves protecting the personal information of individuals, shielding young people from inappropriate content, or preventing anti-competitive market behavior. ITI is encouraged by the Commission’s latest step to pursue European public interests in a manner that maintains openness to cross-border data flows and a non-discriminatory approach to digital commerce and innovation.

ITI and its member companies are committed to the success of the EU digital market and will continue to work in a spirit of partnership with its EU colleagues on these matters.

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