European Parliament approves AI Act overhaul in Digital Omnibus package

The European Parliament voted in a first reading to adopt the Digital Omnibus on AI, a set of amendments that simplify the AI Act and introduce new obligations for high‑risk systems, small‑ and mid‑cap companies, and bans on certain generative‑AI uses such as non‑consensual intimate content and child sexual exploitation material. The changes also shift implementation dates for high‑risk AI systems to December 2027 and for product‑related high‑risk AI to August 2028, giving authorities more time to develop technical standards.

In parallel, the EU Commission’s proposal to eliminate cookie‑banner consent requests was rejected after strong opposition from Germany, France, Google and privacy activists. The compromise, driven by the Cypriot Council presidency, removed the contested Article 88b and retained the banner system, while promoting the use of automatic “privacy signals” to convey users’ tracking preferences. The debate reflects broader tensions over digital regulation within the EU’s Digital Omnibus legislative package.