Adriana Mutu, founding member of MEDEA, was invited to speak at the Jean Monnet Chair seminar on “EU Values in the Online Digital Environment”, hosted by the Università degli Studi Roma Tre – Department of Political Science, which took place on July 21.
As part of the expert panel on Digital Regulation and Governance, Adriana presented a working paper co-authored with Dr. Luminița Pătraș (ESIC Business & Marketing School, Spain). Their contribution examined how Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) are responding to the compliance requirements set out in the Digital Services Act (DSA) and how they are addressing the systemic risks.
Chaired by Marco Bassini (Tilburg Institute for Law, Technology, and Society – Tilburg University), the panel featured insightful discussions with scholars from various universities. The panel covered a wide range of topics, including the cross-border challenges of digital platform regulation, the role of independent authorities in ensuring accountability, and the governance function of the European Commission within the digital single market.
The panel also explored the relationship between artificial intelligence and public decision-making under the AI Act, the right to information amid growing disinformation, the protection of minors online, and the risks associated with manipulative digital design practices known as dark patterns. Central to the discussions was the ongoing challenge of balancing power and responsibility in digital markets while upholding EU values.
It was an honor for MEDEA to be represented in such a forward-looking forum. Adriana’s participation underscores our commitment to contributing rigorous, policy-relevant research to shape the future of digital governance in Europe.