Today, the Consumer Choice Center Europe (CCCE) released survey results examining how EU data strategy regulations impact operations and innovation potential among startups in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).

Representatives from startups across 11 CEE countries – Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, Czechia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia—shared their insights and offered recommendations for both national and EU policymakers and regulators.

The survey assessed the effects of key regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Digital Services Act (DSA), Digital Markets Act (DMA), Data Act (DA), Data Governance Act (DGA), and Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act).

Speaking on the survey results, Egle Markeviciute, Secretary and EU Affairs Manager at Consumer Choice Center Europe, said:

“The majority of Central Eastern European startups admitted they lack the resources and time to keep up with updates of the EU regulatory framework, let alone active participation in policymaking dialogue. Compliance with EU data strategy regulations has significantly impacted their operations, particularly in smaller startups. While most startups expressed positive attitudes towards national regulators, they nonetheless requested that these regulators enhance their operations to provide better internal coordination and quicker support for fast-moving startups.”

Read the full text here