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On 1 December 2025, the Minister for Government Modernisation’s circular banning the DeepSeek AI system in all federal government services entered into force. Federal employees are prohibited from using DeepSeek applications, which had to be removed from staff devices. The measure implements the preventative prohibition adopted on 11 September 2025, following the June analysis that required government services to list their artificial intelligence tools and identified risks linked to data transmitted to the DeepSeek system.
On 30 September 2025, the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) approved the joint acquisition of Doktr by Proximus, AG Insurance, and Nationaal Hulpfonds under the simplified procedure. The transaction covers the telecommunications, insurance, and digital health sectors. Doktr allows patients and employees to consult registered doctors, psychologists, occupational physicians, and other qualified specialists through a secure video application for medical advice, prescriptions, or certificates. The Authority found no competition concerns.
On 24 September 2025, the Belgian Competition Authority opened an investigation into Proximus, AG Insurance, and Nationaal Hulpfonds acquiring joint control over Doktr, a Belgian video consultation platform. Doktr allows patients and employees to consult registered doctors, psychologists, occupational physicians, and other qualified specialists through a secure video application for medical advice, prescriptions, or certificates. The investigation aimed to assess whether the merger complied with competition rules and could raise market concerns. The Authority seeks to review the potential impact across telecommunications, insurance, and digital health sectors.
On 11 September 2025, the Minister for Government Modernisation adopted a circular banning the use of the DeepSeek AI system in all federal government services. The circular stated that the ban was preventative, following similar restrictions in other jurisdictions, and was based on a June analysis in which government services provided full lists of artificial-intelligence tools. It cited risks linked to data transmitted to the DeepSeek system and therefore prohibited its use in federal government offices.
On 10 May 2025, the Data Protection Authority (APD) closes its consultation on the updated recommendation on direct marketing. The update is based on Recommendation 01/2020 and takes into account developments in case law, regulatory decisions, and guidance from the European Data Protection Board (EDPB). The revised Recommendation defines terms related to direct marketing, describes the legal basis for processing prospective customer data under the legitimate interest framework, and outlines data retention guidelines in accordance with the GDPR. It also specifies requirements for responding to data subject rights requests, including transparency obligations and procedural aspects for access, rectification, and erasure. Furthermore, the Recommendation describes the responsibilities of data controllers and processors, requiring them to ensure lawful data processing, proper documentation of legal bases, and compliance with security measures. The Recommendation outlines provisions on the rights of individuals, including the right to object to direct marketing, access personal data, and request rectification or erasure. In addition, it sets out rules on data minimisation, retention limits and automated decision making in marketing, in line with the GDPR and consumer protection laws.
On 10 March 2025, the Data Protection Authority (APD) initiated a public consultation on the updated Recommendation 01/2025 on direct marketing until 10 May 2025. The update is based on Recommendation 01/2020 and takes into account developments in case law, regulatory decisions, and guidance from the European Data Protection Board (EDPB). The revised Recommendation defines terms related to direct marketing, describes the legal basis for processing prospective customer data under the legitimate interest framework, and outlines data retention guidelines in accordance with the GDPR. It also specifies requirements for responding to data subject rights requests, including transparency obligations and procedural aspects for access, rectification, and erasure. Furthermore, the Recommendation describes the responsibilities of data controllers and processors, requiring them to ensure lawful data processing, proper documentation of legal bases, and compliance with security measures. The Recommendation outlines provisions on the rights of individuals, including the right to object to direct marketing, access personal data, and request rectification or erasure. In addition, it sets out rules on data minimisation, retention limits and automated decision making in marketing, in line with the GDPR and consumer protection laws.
Last updated: 01/12/2025