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whereas legal:


definitions:


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Article 2

Definitions

For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions apply:

(1)

gatekeeper’ means an undertaking providing core_platform_services, designated pursuant to Article 3;

(2)

core_platform_service’ means any of the following:

(a)

online_intermediation_services;

(b)

online_search_engines;

(c)

online_social_networking_services;

(d)

video-sharing_platform_services;

(e)

number-independent_interpersonal_communications_services;

(f)

operating_systems;

(g)

web_browsers;

(h)

virtual_assistants;

(i)

cloud_computing_services;

(j)

online advertising services, including any advertising networks, advertising exchanges and any other advertising intermediation services, provided by an undertaking that provides any of the core_platform_services listed in points (a) to (i);

(3)

information_society_service’ means any service as defined in Article 1(1), point (b), of Directive (EU) 2015/1535;

(4)

digital_sector’ means the sector of products and services provided by means of, or through, information_society_services;

(5)

online_intermediation_services’ means online_intermediation_services as defined in Article 2, point (2), of Regulation (EU) 2019/1150;

(6)

online_search_engine’ means an online_search_engine as defined in Article 2, point (5), of Regulation (EU) 2019/1150;

(7)

online_social_networking_service’ means a platform that enables end_users to connect and communicate with each other, share content and discover other users and content across multiple devices and, in particular, via chats, posts, videos and recommendations;

(8)

video-sharing_platform_service’ means a video-sharing_platform_service as defined in Article 1(1), point (aa), of Directive 2010/13/EU;

(9)

number-independent_interpersonal_communications_service’ means a number-independent_interpersonal_communications_service as defined in Article 2, point (7), of Directive (EU) 2018/1972;

(10)

operating_system’ means a system software that controls the basic functions of the hardware or software and enables software_applications to run on it;

(11)

web_browser’ means a software_application that enables end_users to access and interact with web content hosted on servers that are connected to networks such as the Internet, including standalone web_browsers as well as web_browsers integrated or embedded in software or similar;

(12)

virtual_assistant’ means a software that can process demands, tasks or questions, including those based on audio, visual, written input, gestures or motions, and that, based on those demands, tasks or questions, provides access to other services or controls connected physical devices;

(13)

cloud_computing_service’ means a cloud_computing_service as defined in Article 4, point (19), of Directive (EU) 2016/1148 of the European Parliament and of the Council (24);

(14)

software_application_stores’ means a type of online_intermediation_services, which is focused on software_applications as the intermediated product or service;

(15)

software_application’ means any digital product or service that runs on an operating_system;

(16)

payment_service’ means a payment_service as defined in Article 4, point (3) of Directive (EU) 2015/2366;

(17)

‘technical service supporting payment_service’ means a service within the meaning of Article 3, point (j), of Directive (EU) 2015/2366;

(18)

payment_system_for_in-app_purchases’ means a software_application, service or user interface which facilitates purchases of digital content or digital services within a software_application, including content, subscriptions, features or functionality, and the payments for such purchases;

(19)

identification_service’ means a type of service provided together with or in support of core_platform_services that enables any type of verification of the identity of end_users or business_users, regardless of the technology used;

(20)

end_user’ means any natural or legal person using core_platform_services other than as a business_user;

(21)

business_user’ means any natural or legal person acting in a commercial or professional capacity using core_platform_services for the purpose of or in the course of providing goods or services to end_users;

(22)

ranking’ means the relative prominence given to goods or services offered through online_intermediation_services, online_social_networking_services, video-sharing_platform_services or virtual_assistants, or the relevance given to search_results by online_search_engines, as presented, organised or communicated by the undertakings providing online_intermediation_services, online_social_networking_services, video-sharing_platform_services, virtual_assistants or online_search_engines, irrespective of the technological means used for such presentation, organisation or communication and irrespective of whether only one result is presented or communicated;

(23)

search_results’ means any information in any format, including textual, graphic, vocal or other outputs, returned in response to, and related to, a search query, irrespective of whether the information returned is a paid or an unpaid result, a direct answer or any product, service or information offered in connection with the organic results, or displayed along with or partly or entirely embedded in them;

(24)

data’ means any digital representation of acts, facts or information and any compilation of such acts, facts or information, including in the form of sound, visual or audiovisual recording;

(25)

‘personal data’ means personal data as defined in Article 4, point (1), of Regulation (EU) 2016/679;

(26)

‘non-personal data’ means data other than personal data;

(27)

undertaking’ means an entity engaged in an economic activity, regardless of its legal status and the way in which it is financed, including all linked enterprises or connected undertakings that form a group through the direct or indirect control of an enterprise or undertaking by another;

(28)

control’ means the possibility of exercising decisive influence on an undertaking, within the meaning of Article 3(2) of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004;

(29)

interoperability’ means the ability to exchange information and mutually use the information which has been exchanged through interfaces or other solutions, so that all elements of hardware or software work with other hardware and software and with users in all the ways in which they are intended to function;

(30)

turnover’ means the amount derived by an undertaking within the meaning of Article 5(1) of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004;

(31)

profiling’ means profiling as defined in Article 4, point (4), of Regulation (EU) 2016/679;

(32)

consent’ means consent as defined in Article 4, point (11), of Regulation (EU) 2016/679;

(33)

national_court’ means a court or tribunal of a Member State within the meaning of Article 267 TFEU.

CHAPTER II

GATEKEEPERS

Article 21

Requests for information

1.   In order to carry out its duties under this Regulation, the Commission may, by simple request or by decision, require from undertakings and associations of undertakings to provide all necessary information. The Commission may also, by simple request or by decision, require access to any data and algorithms of undertakings and information about testing, as well as requesting explanations of them.

2.   When sending a simple request for information to an undertaking or association of undertakings, the Commission shall state the legal basis and purpose of the request, specify what information is required and fix the time limit within which the information is to be provided, as well as the fines provided for in Article 30 applicable for supplying incomplete, incorrect or misleading information or explanations.

3.   Where the Commission requires undertakings and associations of undertakings to supply information by decision, it shall state the legal basis and purpose of the request, specify what information is required and fix the time limit within which the information is to be provided. Where the Commission requires undertakings to provide access to any data, algorithms and information about testing, it shall state the purpose of the request and fix the time -limit within which it is to be provided. It shall also indicate the fines provided for in Article 30 and indicate or impose the periodic penalty payments provided for in Article 31. It shall further indicate the right to have the decision reviewed by the Court of Justice.

4.   The undertakings or associations of undertakings or their representatives shall supply the information requested on behalf of the undertaking or the association of undertakings concerned. Lawyers duly authorised to act may supply the information on behalf of their clients. The latter shall remain fully responsible if the information supplied is incomplete, incorrect or misleading.

5.   At the request of the Commission, the competent authorities of the Member States shall provide the Commission with all necessary information in their possession to carry out the duties assigned to it by this Regulation.

Article 22

Power to carry out interviews and take statements

1.   In order to carry out its duties under this Regulation, the Commission may interview any natural or legal person which consents to being interviewed, for the purpose of collecting information, relating to the subject-matter of an investigation. The Commission shall be entitled to record such interviews by any technical means.

2.   Where an interview pursuant to paragraph 1 of this Article is conducted on the premises of an undertaking, the Commission shall inform the national competent authority of the Member State that is enforcing the rules referred to in Article 1(6) and in whose territory the interview takes place thereof. If that authority so requests, its officials may assist the officials and other accompanying persons authorised by the Commission to conduct the interview.

Article 29

Non-compliance

1.   The Commission shall adopt an implementing act setting out its finding of non-compliance (‘the non-compliance decision’) where it finds that a gatekeeper does not comply with one or more of the following:

(a)

any of the obligations laid down in Article 5, 6 or 7;

(b)

measures specified by the Commission in a decision adopted pursuant to Article 8(2);

(c)

remedies imposed pursuant to Article 18(1);

(d)

interim measures ordered pursuant to Article 24; or

(e)

commitments made legally binding pursuant to Article 25.

That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 50(2).

2.   The Commission shall endeavour to adopt its non-compliance decision within 12 months from the opening of proceedings pursuant to Article 20.

3.   Before adopting the non-compliance decision, the Commission shall communicate its preliminary findings to the gatekeeper concerned. In those preliminary findings, the Commission shall explain the measures it is considering taking or that it considers that the gatekeeper should take in order to effectively address the preliminary findings.

4.   Where it intends to adopt a non-compliance decision, the Commission may consult third parties.

5.   In the non-compliance decision, the Commission shall order the gatekeeper to cease and desist with the non-compliance within an appropriate deadline and to provide explanations on how it plans to comply with that decision.

6.   The gatekeeper shall provide the Commission with the description of the measures that it has taken to ensure compliance with the non-compliance decision.

7.   Where the Commission decides not to adopt a non-compliance decision, it shall close the proceedings by a decision.

Article 30

Fines

1.   In the non-compliance decision, the Commission may impose on a gatekeeper fines not exceeding 10 % of its total worldwide turnover in the preceding financial year where it finds that the gatekeeper, intentionally or negligently, fails to comply with:

(a)

any of the obligations laid down in Articles 5, 6 and 7;

(b)

measures specified by the Commission in a decision adopted pursuant to Article 8(2);

(c)

remedies imposed pursuant to Article 18(1);

(d)

interim measures ordered pursuant to Article 24; or

(e)

commitments made legally binding pursuant to Article 25.

2.   Notwithstanding paragraph 1 of this Article, in the non-compliance decision the Commission may impose on a gatekeeper fines up to 20 % of its total worldwide turnover in the preceding financial year where it finds that a gatekeeper has committed the same or a similar infringement of an obligation laid down in Article 5, 6 or 7 in relation to the same core_platform_service as it was found to have committed in a non-compliance decision adopted in the 8 preceding years.

3.   The Commission may adopt a decision, imposing on undertakings, including gatekeepers where applicable, and associations of undertakings, fines not exceeding 1 % of their total worldwide turnover in the preceding financial year where they intentionally or negligently:

(a)

fail to provide within the time limit information that is required for assessing their designation as gatekeepers pursuant to Article 3 or supply incorrect, incomplete or misleading information;

(b)

fail to comply with the obligation to notify the Commission according to Article 3(3);

(c)

fail to notify information or supply incorrect, incomplete or misleading information that is required pursuant to Article 14;

(d)

fail to submit the description or supply incorrect, incomplete or misleading information that is required pursuant to Article 15;

(e)

fail to provide access to data, algorithms or information about testing in response to a request made pursuant to Article 21(3);

(f)

fail to supply the information requested within the time limit fixed pursuant to Article 21(3) or supply incorrect, incomplete or misleading information or explanations that are requested pursuant to Article 21 or given in an interview pursuant to Article 22;

(g)

fail to rectify within a time limit set by the Commission, incorrect, incomplete or misleading information given by a representative or a member of staff, or fail or refuse to provide complete information on facts relating to the subject-matter and purpose of an inspection, pursuant to Article 23;

(h)

refuse to submit to an inspection pursuant to Article 23;

(i)

fail to comply with the obligations imposed by the Commission pursuant to Article 26;

(j)

fail to introduce a compliance function in accordance with Article 28; or

(k)

fail to comply with the conditions for access to the Commission’s file pursuant to Article 34(4).

4.   In fixing the amount of a fine, the Commission shall take into account the gravity, duration, recurrence, and, for fines imposed pursuant to paragraph 3, delay caused to the proceedings.

5.   When a fine is imposed on an association of undertakings taking account of the worldwide turnover of its members and that association is not solvent, it shall be obliged to call for contributions from its members to cover the amount of the fine.

Where such contributions have not been made to the association of undertakings within a time limit set by the Commission, the Commission may require payment of the fine directly by any of the undertakings whose representatives were members of the decision-making bodies concerned of that association.

After having required payment in accordance with the second subparagraph, the Commission may require payment of the balance by any of the members of the association of undertakings, where necessary to ensure full payment of the fine.

However, the Commission shall not require payment pursuant to the second or the third subparagraph from undertakings which show that they have not implemented the decision of the association of undertakings that infringed this Regulation, and either were not aware of its existence, or have actively distanced themselves from it before the Commission opened proceedings under Article 20.

The financial liability of each undertaking in respect of the payment of the fine shall not exceed 20 % of its total worldwide turnover in the preceding financial year.

Article 31

Periodic penalty payments

1.   The Commission may adopt a decision imposing on undertakings, including gatekeepers where applicable, and associations of undertakings periodic penalty payments not exceeding 5 % of the average daily worldwide turnover in the preceding financial year per day, calculated from the date set by that decision, in order to compel them:

(a)

to comply with the measures specified by the Commission in a decision adopted pursuant to Article 8(2);

(b)

to comply with the decision pursuant to Article 18(1);

(c)

to supply correct and complete information within the time limit required by a request for information made by decision pursuant to Article 21;

(d)

to ensure access to data, algorithms and information about testing in response to a request made pursuant to Article 21(3) and to supply explanations on those as required by a decision pursuant to Article 21;

(e)

to submit to an inspection which was ordered by a decision taken pursuant to Article 23;

(f)

to comply with a decision ordering interim measures taken pursuant to Article 24;

(g)

to comply with commitments made legally binding by a decision pursuant to Article 25(1);

(h)

to comply with a decision pursuant to Article 29(1).

2.   Where the undertakings, or associations of undertakings, have satisfied the obligation which the periodic penalty payment was intended to enforce, the Commission may adopt an implementing act, setting the definitive amount of the periodic penalty payment at a figure lower than that which would arise under the original decision. That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 50(2).

Article 36

Professional secrecy

1.   The information collected pursuant to this Regulation shall be used for the purposes of this Regulation.

2.   The information collected pursuant to Article 14 shall be used for the purposes of this Regulation, Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 and national merger rules.

3.   The information collected pursuant to Article 15 shall be used for the purposes of this Regulation and Regulation (EU) 2016/679.

4.   Without prejudice to the exchange and to the use of information provided for the purpose of use pursuant to Articles 38, 39, 41 and 43, the Commission, the competent authorities of the Member States, their officials, servants and other persons working under the supervision of those authorities and any natural or legal person, including auditors and experts appointed pursuant to Article 26(2), shall not disclose information acquired or exchanged by them pursuant to this Regulation and of the kind covered by the obligation of professional secrecy.

Article 37

Cooperation with national authorities

1.   The Commission and Member States shall work in close cooperation and coordinate their enforcement actions to ensure coherent, effective and complementary enforcement of available legal instruments applied to gatekeepers within the meaning of this Regulation.

2.   The Commission may consult national authorities where appropriate, on any matter relating to the application of this Regulation.

Article 51

Amendment to Directive (EU) 2019/1937

In Point J of Part I of the Annex to Directive (EU) 2019/1937, the following point is added:

‘(iv)

Regulation (EU) 2022/1925 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 September 2022 on contestable and fair markets in the digital_sector and amending Directives (EU) 2019/1937 and (EU) 2020/1828 (Digital Markets Act) (OJ L 265, 21.9.2022, p. 1).’

Article 52

Amendment to Directive (EU) 2020/1828

In Annex I to Directive (EU) 2020/1828, the following point is added:

‘(67)

Regulation (EU) 2022/1925 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 September 2022 on contestable and fair markets in the digital_sector and amending Directives (EU) 2019/1937 and (EU) 2020/1828 (Digital Markets Act) (OJ L 265, 21.9.2022, p. 1).’

Article 54

Entry into force and application

This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

It shall apply from 2 May 2023.

However, Article 3(6) and (7) and Articles 40, 46, 47, 48, 49 and 50 shall apply from 1 November 2022 and Article 42 and Article 43 shall apply from 25 June 2023.

Nevertheless, if the date of 25 June 2023 precedes the date of application referred to in the second paragraph of this Article, the application of Article 42 and Article 43 shall be postponed until the date of application referred to in the second paragraph of this Article.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Strasbourg, 14 September 2022.

For the European Parliament

The President

R. METSOLA

For the Council

The President

M. BEK


(1)  OJ C 286, 16.7.2021, p. 64.

(2)  OJ C 440, 29.10.2021, p. 67.

(3)  Position of the European Parliament of 5 July 2022 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and decision of the Council of 18 July 2022.

(4)  Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC ( General Data Protection Regulation) (OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 1).

(5)  Regulation (EU) 2019/1150 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on promoting fairness and transparency for business_users of online_intermediation_services (OJ L 186, 11.7.2019, p. 57).

(6)  Directive 2002/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 2002 concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector (OJ L 201, 31.7.2002, p. 37).

(7)  Directive 2005/29/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2005 concerning unfair business-to-consumer commercial practices in the internal market and amending Council Directive 84/450/EEC, Directives 97/7/EC, 98/27/EC and 2002/65/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council (‘Unfair Commercial Practices Directive’) (OJ L 149, 11.6.2005, p. 22).

(8)  Directive 2010/13/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 March 2010 on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the provision of audiovisual media services (Audiovisual Media Services Directive) (OJ L 95, 15.4.2010, p. 1).

(9)  Directive (EU) 2015/2366 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2015 on payment_services in the internal market, amending Directives 2002/65/EC, 2009/110/EC and 2013/36/EU and Regulation (EU) No 1093/2010, and repealing Directive 2007/64/EC (OJ L 337, 23.12.2015, p. 35).

(10)  Directive (EU) 2019/790 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on copyright and related rights in the Digital Single Market and amending Directives 96/9/EC and 2001/29/EC (OJ L 130, 17.5.2019, p. 92).

(11)  Directive (EU) 2019/882 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on the accessibility requirements for products and services (OJ L 151, 7.6.2019, p. 70).

(12)  Council Directive 93/13/EEC of 5 April 1993 on unfair terms in consumer contracts (OJ L 95, 21.4.1993, p. 29).

(13)  Directive (EU) 2015/1535 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 September 2015 laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical regulations and of rules on Information Society services (OJ L 241, 17.9.2015, p. 1).

(14)  Directive (EU) 2018/1972 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 establishing the European Electronic Communications Code (OJ L 321, 17.12.2018, p. 36).

(15)  Directive (EU) 2016/2102 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 October 2016 on the accessibility of the websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies (OJ L 327, 2.12.2016, p. 1).

(16)  Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by the Member States of the Commission's exercise of implementing powers (OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13).

(17)  Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC (OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 39).

(18)  Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 on the implementation of the rules on competition laid down in Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty (OJ L 1, 4.1.2003, p. 1).

(19)  OJ L 123, 12.5.2016, p. 1.

(20)  Directive (EU) 2019/1937 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2019 on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law (OJ L 305, 26.11.2019, p. 17).

(21)  Directive (EU) 2020/1828 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2020 on representative actions for the protection of the collective interests of consumers and repealing Directive 2009/22/EC (OJ L 409, 4.12.2020, p. 1).

(22)  OJ C 147, 26.4.2021, p. 4.

(23)  Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 of 20 January 2004 on the control of concentrations between undertakings (the EC Merger Regulation) (OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1).

(24)  Directive (EU) 2016/1148 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 2016 concerning measures for a high common level of security of network and information systems across the Union (OJ L 194, 19.7.2016, p. 1).


ANNEX

A.   ‘ General

1.

This Annex aims at specifying the methodology for identifying and calculating the ‘active end_users’ and the ‘active business_users’ for each core_platform_service listed in Article 2, point (2). It provides a reference to enable an undertaking to assess whether its core_platform_services meet the quantitative thresholds set out in Article 3(2), point (b) and would therefore be presumed to meet the requirement in Article 3(1), point (b). Such reference will therefore equally be of relevance to any broader assessment under Article 3(8). It is the responsibility of the undertaking to come to the best approximation possible in line with the common principles and specific methodology set out in this Annex. Nothing in this Annex precludes the Commission, within the time limits laid down in the relevant provisions of this Regulation, from requiring the undertaking providing core_platform_services to provide any information necessary to identify and calculate the ‘active end_users’ and the ‘active business_users’. Nothing in this Annex should constitute a legal basis for tracking users. The methodology contained in this Annex is also without prejudice to any of the obligations laid down in this Regulation, notably in Article 3(3) and (8) and Article 13(3). In particular, the required compliance with Article 13(3) also means identifying and calculating ‘active end_users’ and ‘active business_users’ based either on a precise measurement or on the best approximation available, in line with the actual identification and calculation capacities that the undertaking providing core_platform_services possesses at the relevant point in time. Those measurements or the best approximation available shall be consistent with, and include, those reported under Article 15.

2.

Article 2, points (20) and (21) set out the definitions of ‘ end_user’ and ‘ business_user’, which are common to all core_platform_services.

3.

In order to identify and calculate the number of ‘active end_users’ and ‘active business_users’, this Annex refers to the concept of ‘unique users’. The concept of ‘unique users’ encompasses ‘active end_users’ and ‘active business_users’ counted only once, for the relevant core_platform_service, over the course of a specified time period (i.e. month in case of ‘active end_users’ and year in case of ‘active business_users’), no matter how many times they engaged with the relevant core_platform_service over that period. This is without prejudice to the fact that the same natural or legal person can simultaneously constitute an ‘active end_user’ or an ‘active business_user’ for different core_platform_services.

B.   ‘Active end_users’

1.

The number of ‘unique users’ as regards ‘active end_users’ shall be identified according to the most accurate metric reported by the undertaking providing any of the core_platform_services, specifically:

a.

It is considered that collecting data about the use of core_platform_services from signed-in or logged-in environments would prima facie present the lowest risk of duplication, for example in relation to user behaviour across devices or platforms. Hence, the undertaking shall submit aggregate anonymized data on the number of unique end_users per respective core_platform_service based on signed-in or logged-in environments, if such data exists.

b.

In the case of core_platform_services which are also accessed by end_users outside signed-in or logged-in environments, the undertaking shall additionally submit aggregate anonymized data on the number of unique end_users of the respective core_platform_service based on an alternate metric capturing also end_users outside signed-in or logged-in environments, such as internet protocol addresses, cookie identifiers or other identifiers such as radio frequency identification tags, provided that those addresses or identifiers are objectively necessary for the provision of the core_platform_services.

2.

The number of ‘monthly active end_users’ is based on the average number of monthly active end_users throughout the largest part of the financial year. The notion ‘the largest part of the financial year’ is intended to allow an undertaking providing core_platform_services to discount outlier figures in a given year. Outlier figures inherently mean figures that fall significantly outside the normal and foreseeable figures. An unforeseen peak or drop in user engagement that occurred during a single month of the financial year is an example of what could constitute such outlier figures. Figures related to annually recurring occurrences, such as annual sales promotions, are not outlier figures.

C.   ‘Active business_users’

The number of ‘unique users’ as regards ‘active business_users’ is to be determined, where applicable, at the account level with each distinct business account associated with the use of a core_platform_service provided by the undertaking constituting one unique business_user of that respective core_platform_service. If the notion of ‘business account’ does not apply to a given core_platform_service, the relevant undertaking providing core_platform_services shall determine the number of unique business_users by referring to the relevant undertaking.

D.   ‘ Submission_of_information

1.

The undertaking submitting to the Commission pursuant to Article 3(3) information concerning the number of active end_users and active business_users per core_platform_service shall be responsible for ensuring the completeness and accuracy of that information. In that regard:

a.

The undertaking shall be responsible for submitting data for a respective core_platform_service that avoids under-counting and over-counting the number of active end_users and active business_users (for example, where users access the core_platform_services across different platforms or devices).

b.

The undertaking shall be responsible for providing precise and succinct explanations about the methodology used to arrive at the information and for any risk of under-counting or over-counting of the number of active end_users and active business_users for a respective core_platform_service and for the solutions adopted to address that risk.

c.

The undertaking shall provide data that is based on an alternative metric when the Commission has concerns about the accuracy of data provided by the undertaking providing core_platform_services.

2.

For the purpose of calculating the number of ‘active end_users’ and ‘active business_users’:

a.

The undertaking providing core_platform_service(s) shall not identify core_platform_services that belong to the same category of core_platform_services pursuant to Article 2, point (2) as distinct mainly on the basis that they are provided using different domain names, whether country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) or generic top-level domains (gTLDs), or any geographic attributes.

b.

The undertaking providing core_platform_service(s) shall consider as distinct core_platform_services those core_platform_services, which are used for different purposes by either their end_users or their business_users, or both, even if their end_users or business_users may be the same and even if they belong to the same category of core_platform_services pursuant to Article 2, point (2).

c.

The undertaking providing core_platform_service(s) shall consider as distinct core_platform_services those services which the relevant undertaking offers in an integrated way, but which:

(i)

do not belong to the same category of core_platform_services pursuant to Article 2, point (2); or

(ii)

are used for different purposes by either their end_users or their business_users, or both, even if their end_users and business_users may be the same and even if they belong to the same category of core_platform_services pursuant to Article 2, point (2).

E.   ‘ Specific_definitions

The table below sets out specific definitions of ‘active end_users’ and ‘active business_users’ for each core_platform_service.

Core platform services

Active end_users

Active business_users

Online intermediation services

Number of unique end_users who engaged with the online intermediation service at least once in the month for example through actively logging-in, making a query, clicking or scrolling or concluded a transaction through the online intermediation service at least once in the month.

Number of unique business_users who had at least one item listed in the online intermediation service during the whole year or concluded a transaction enabled by the online intermediation service during the year.

Online search engines

Number of unique end_users who engaged with the online_search_engine at least once in the month, for example through making a query.

Number of unique business_users with business websites (i.e. website used in commercial or professional capacity) indexed by or part of the index of the online_search_engine during the year.

Online social networking services

Number of unique end_users who engaged with the online_social_networking_service at least once in the month, for example through actively logging-in, opening a page, scrolling, clicking, liking, making a query, posting or commenting.

Number of unique business_users who have a business listing or business account in the online_social_networking_service and have engaged in any way with the service at least once during the year, for example through actively logging-in, opening a page, scrolling, clicking, liking, making a query, posting, commenting or using its tools for businesses.

Video-sharing platform services

Number of unique end_users who engaged with the video-sharing_platform_service at least once in the month, for example through playing a segment of audiovisual content, making a query or uploading a piece of audiovisual content, notably including user-generated videos.

Number of unique business_users who provided at least one piece of audiovisual content uploaded or played on the video-sharing_platform_service during the year.

Number-independent interpersonal communication services

Number of unique end_users who initiated or participated in any way in a communication through the number-independent interpersonal communication service at least once in the month.

Number of unique business_users who used a business account or otherwise initiated or participated in any way in a communication through the number-independent interpersonal communication service to communicate directly with an end_user at least once during the year.

Operating systems

Number of unique end_users who utilised a device with the operating_system, which has been activated, updated or used at least once in the month.

Number of unique developers who published, updated or offered at least one software_application or software program using the programming language or any software development tools of, or running in any way on, the operating_system during the year.

Virtual assistant

Number of unique end_users who engaged with the virtual_assistant in any way at least once in the month, such as for example through activating it, asking a question, accessing a service through a command or controlling a smart home device.

Number of unique developers who offered at least one virtual_assistant software_application or a functionality to make an existing software_application accessible through the virtual_assistant during the year.

Web browsers

Number of unique end_users who engaged with the web_browser at least once in the month, for example through inserting a query or website address in the URL line of the web_browser.

Number of unique business_users whose business websites (i.e. website used in commercial or professional capacity) have been accessed via the web_browser at least once during the year or who offered a plug-in, extension or add-ons used on the web_browser during the year.

Cloud computing services

Number of unique end_users who engaged with any cloud_computing_services from the relevant provider of cloud_computing_services at least once in the month, in return for any type of remuneration, regardless of whether this remuneration occurs in the same month.

Number of unique business_users who provided any cloud_computing_services hosted in the cloud infrastructure of the relevant provider of cloud_computing_services during the year.

Online advertising services

For proprietary sales of advertising space:

Number of unique end_users who were exposed to an advertisement impression at least once in the month.

For advertising intermediation services (including advertising networks, advertising exchanges and any other advertising intermediation services):

Number of unique end_users who were exposed to an advertisement impression which triggered the advertising intermediation service at least once in the month.

For proprietary sales of advertising space:

Number of unique advertisers who had at least one advertisement impression displayed during the year.

For advertising intermediation services (including advertising networks, advertising exchanges and any other advertising intermediation services):

Number of unique business_users (including advertisers, publishers or other intermediators) who interacted via or were served by the advertising intermediation service during the year.



whereas









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