Digital Single Market
Bolstered by pandemic, tech titans face growing scrutiny
Accelerating the transition to an ever more digital existence, the coronavirus pandemic has tightened tech giants' grip on billions of customers' lives.
New EU rules to define gatekeepers by users, areas of business
Tech companies with millions of European users or active in at least two sectors will be classified as online gatekeepers subject to tough new EU rules aimed at curbing their power, three people familiar with the matter said.
Blacklist prohibitions to be ‘very limited’ to large platforms, Commission says
The scope of online platforms that will come under new regulatory prohibitions as part of the European Commission's forthcoming Digital Markets Act (DMA) will be narrowly targeted to a set of 'big operators,' the EU executive has revealed.
The Digital Services Act could make or break European democracy
The upcoming EU digital services act marks a key moment for democracy across the bloc, writes Iverna McGowan.
Zuckerberg appeals for European leadership on platform regulation
Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg has called upon the European Union to take the lead in establishing a legal framework for the regulation of online platforms, in order to resist other models of online governance, like China's, which do not appeal to Western values.
Big tech could do better at protecting the environment
Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft, known as 'GAFAM' in France, say they are protecting the environment, but that's not the point. Partly responsible for the carbon impact of digital technology, these multinationals are mainly trying to minimise damage. EURACTIV's partner La Tribune reports.
Online platform regulation: French economy ministry gets up and running
While the European Commission presented its digital strategy last week, France's economy and finance ministry brought together around a hundred experts on Monday (24 February) in an attempt to sketch out ways of regulating online platforms. EURACTIV's partner La Tribune reports.
MEP Axel Voss publishes EU digital manifesto, warns of EU’s ‘digital dependency’
Conservative German MEP Axel Voss, also known as the father of the controversial copyright reform, has published a manifesto on European digital policy in which he warns that Europe should not become a "digital colony" of other powers. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU needs to focus on legislation in the digital sphere, MEP Angelika Niebler says
The EU has proven to be successful in legislating in the digital age but it needs to keep up the work to avoid being left behind, because "the digital revolution has been moving faster than legislation", MEP Angelika Niebler (EPP, Germany) told EURACTIV in a written interview.
Should the EU embrace artificial intelligence, or fear it?
Advances in machine learning are progressing rapidly, and governments are struggling to keep up. The EU has emerged as the world’s regulator in this space, but some fear it's stifling European innovation.
Time to intervene on behalf of innovation in Europe’s smart car market
After taking action to prevent anti-competitive practices by chipmakers, the European Commission should do the same in the smart car sector, writes Brian Scarpelli.
Why the EU leads in digital regulation, but lags in digital innovation
In its efforts to harmonise the digital legislation of its 28 countries, the European Union has accidentally become the world’s digital regulator – while ceding ground to other digital innovators.
Europe and Huawei share common values. Together we can lead the 4th Industrial Revolution.
It is Europe’s values of openness, innovation, and the rule of law that have made it the powerhouse of mobile communications that it is today. We at Huawei share these values.
Europe must ‘prioritise investments’ in cloud, EU digital chief says
Europe's global standing in the cloud infrastructure market has long come under scrutiny for a lack of investment and presence compared with global players. EURACTIV has caught up with DG Connect's Roberto Viola to analyse the importance of the EU's data economy and examine how Europe can achieve a greater level of independence in its cloud services.
The Finnish EU presidency should push for a ‘fast lane’ for tech and AI
Boasting one of Europe’s most liberal and innovative economies, Finland's EU presidency has the chance to push for a ‘fast lane’ for tech and AI in Europe, and show Europe a way forward in the age of AI, writes Christian Walther Øyrabø.
French economy ministry wants to overhaul EU competition policies
The French Ministry of Economy wants to change competition practices and trade policy in Europe. Its proposals also aim to tackle new digital conglomerates. EURACTIV France reports.
‘Trust is a must’ for the future of the EU’s Digital Single Market
The future for digitisation in European business is pivotal at the moment for the EU.OpinionPromoted content
Vote for 5G: securing the legacy of Robert Schuman
As in 1950, Europe today is again facing the choice of being bold and forward-looking on its future, writes Abraham Liu, Huawei’s Chief Representative to the EU institutions.
EU tech industry is ready to compete, but asks for fair play
European digital services are successful, well-managed and ambitious businesses. They operate on a market that has a highly skilled workforce and more than 500 million consumers. Yet, they lag behind entities from the US and China when it comes to their global expansion and market value, writes Magdalena Piech.
Google, Amazon among those targeted in EU unfair practices digital rules
Google, Amazon and other tech firms will have to tell companies how they rank their own or rival products on their platforms under new rules agreed by EU negotiators aimed at stopping unfair practices by online platforms and app stores.OpinionPromoted content
Why Europe and Huawei need to stick together
Europe and Huawei have a lot in common, and it is in our shared interest to join hands as we step into the digital age, writes Abraham Liu.
A renewed Europe: Innovation in technology industries
In the context of the EU's industry days, EURACTIV hears from industry leaders, high-ranking political officials and representatives from civil society, on the future challenges of the bloc's industrial sector.
How to level the playing field in the European digital services market?
How can European companies operating in the digital services and e-commerce market be supported, while at the same time making sure consumers are protected? And how can tax policy be rethought to fit the digital marketplace?