Geoblocking limits internet access in terms of online shopping and consumption, for example. Whether it's ordering clothes, or watching videos streamed on foreign platforms - for a small country like Luxembourg, which consumes many products from other countries, this constitutes a form of discrimination.
Online platforms have garnered more and more focus from the European Commission in recent years, due to the massive growth of e-commerce and various convictions across European jurisdictions. In 2018, the EU made the impactful and historical decision to ban geoblocking in online commerce across EU member states.
From Luxembourg's perspective, the initiative was certainly a welcome one but, unfortunately, disappointing and deceptive in practice. This opinion was shared unanimously by MPs on Wednesday's vote to adapt the directive into national legislation on geoblocking. LSAP MP and legislation rapporteur Claude Haagen explained that the amendment would resolve several key issues affecting Luxembourgish consumers but the root of the issue remains outstanding.
With the unanimously passed legislation, Luxembourgish residents will now be able to order goods online, which they previously may not have had the right to order due to their location in Luxembourg. Whether the product is physical or digital, i can be purchased throughout Europe even if delivery to Luxembourg is not guaranteed.
The EU directive also bans online platforms from changing prices from one country to another. As an example, a plane ticket purchased in Luxembourg cannot cost more than the same ticket purchased in Slovenia.
Whilst all 60 MPs passed the legislation, after MP Joëlle Elvinger accidentally voted against it before later correcting her vote, there remained some criticism concerning the limitations of the legislation. Other criticism qualified the legislation as no longer up-to-date.
In March 2020, the European Commission will present a report highlighting the gaps of its regulations. Luxembourgish lawmakers hope this report will present the opportunity to free Europe of online borders.
