4. What is the digital single market about?
Digital technologies and in particular the internet are transforming our world and the European Commission wants to make the EU’s single market fit for the digital age – moving from 28 national digital markets to a single one.
Up until now, EU citizens and businesses have often faced barriers when using online tools and services. These barriers mean that consumers have restricted access to some goods and services, businesses cannot reap all benefits from digitisation, and governments and citizens cannot fully benefit from this digital transformation. The Digital Single Market opens new opportunities, as it removes key differences between online and offline worlds, breaking down the barriers to cross-border online activity.
The Digital Single Market strategy was adopted on 6 May 2015 and is one of the European Commission’s 10 political priorities. It is made up of three policy pillars:
1. Improving access to digital goods and services
The Digital Single Market strategy seeks to ensure better access for consumers and business to online goods and services across Europe, for example by removing barriers to cross-border e-commerce and access to online content while increasing consumer protection.
2. An environment where digital networks and services can prosper
The Digital Single Market aims to create the right environment for digital networks and services by providing high-speed, secure and trustworthy infrastructures and services supported by the right regulatory conditions. Key concerns include cybersecurity, data protection/e-privacy, and the fairness and transparency of online platforms.
3. Digital as a driver for growth
The Digital Single Market Strategy aims at maximising the growth potential of the European Digital Economy, so that every European can fully enjoy its benefits – notably by enhancing digital skills, which are essential for an inclusive digital society.
Read more about the Digital Single Market on the website of the Directorate-General 'Communications Networks, Content and Technology'.
