Digital Single Market
Commission to publish encryption report on 18 October
The European Commission is trying to pull together member states' differing views on security and privacy before it publishes a report on encryption technologies on 18 October.
A call for innovation-friendly ePrivacy rules
The EU's draft ePrivacy regulation risks crippling innovative cloud computing services, writes Kim Gagné.
Jourova reassured ‘America first’ does not weigh on EU-US privacy shield
EU Justice Commissioner Věra Jourová said she was relieved that US President Trump's “America first” policy will not shatter the EU-US privacy shield agreement on data transfers, after meeting with Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross on Monday (18 September) to scrutinise the one-year-old deal.
Silicon Valley giants want to smash standards and grab internet of things
An internet of things based on shared open standards is under threat from Silicon Valley. And EU policymakers could stop them, writes Francisco Mingorance.
Privacy Shield: A strong framework for transatlantic digital trade
The Privacy Shield agreement has already improved data protection and digital trade between the EU and the US in its first year, and that should continue, writes Victoria A. Espinel.
EU agrees to draft proposal to raise taxes on internet giants
A majority of member states agreed to start preparing a new levy on digital companies to compensate for low-tax regimes that cost billions of euros to European governments.
Ansip: Member states will need help from EU cyber emergency fund
EU technology chief Andrus Ansip predicted that member states will ask for money from a planned European emergency fund if they suffer major hacking attacks, despite wariness over the EU stepping up its cyber security plans.
Juncker announces massive cyber security overhaul
The European Commission will add funds and new powers for the EU cyber security agency and introduce a range of measures to limit threats from hackers, Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker announced in his annual state of the union speech on Wednesday (13 September).
Estonia pushes fair taxation plan for web giants in Europe
A precondition for making online companies such as Amazon and Google pay taxes where they are due is to affirm the principle of "virtual permanent establishment", whereby digital firms pay taxes in countries where they have a "significant digital presence", said EU presidency holder Estonia.
E-commerce platforms face new VAT liability rules
Online retailers such as Amazon could come under tighter scrutiny and be forced to collect VAT from companies whose items they sell, according to new changes that EU member states made to a draft bill.
German parties clash over creating digital ministry after election
German political parties disagree over whether there should be a new federal ministry overseeing all digital policies after the 24 September election.
Ansip vows to respect ‘sovereignty’ with new cyber security measures
One week before the European Commission is expected to present a slew of new cyber security proposals, Vice-President Andrus Ansip said that the new measures will not take away too much power from national authorities.
MEPs want to lower prices for international phone calls
MEPs want to put a price cap on calls and text messages from one EU country to another, arguing those rates are outrageously high for many consumers.
Gabriel to start EU expert group on fake news
New EU Digital Commissioner Mariya Gabriel will set up an expert group this autumn on fake news as one of the first measures she is taking in the job.
Member states reject Commission plan for 25-year spectrum licences
EU member states have rejected a European Commission proposal to extend licences for wireless radio spectrum to last at least 25 years—one of the cornerstones of the EU executive's new attempt to overhaul telecoms law.
Greece wants more money, top role for EU cyber security agency
Greece wants the European Commission to give the Athens-based EU agency ENISA more money and the leading role in managing Europe's cyber security issues as part of a legal overhaul next month.
Consumer group warns against e-commerce overhaul
A draft bill to give ecommerce shoppers the same rights across the EU is likely to face a drastic makeover from the European Parliament and national governments—and consumer advocates are worried.
EU-funded digital health tool tested to help immigrants
EU-funded software to help immigrants access healthcare services in European countries was tested for the first time this summer in Spanish health centres.
Member states ask for new EU data retention rules
Several EU member states want to include new rules allowing for data retention in a draft privacy bill.
Rural areas have bad internet access in most member states
Many rural parts of the EU have poor or no broadband internet, even as lawmakers in Brussels discuss new rules to speed up connectivity.
EU agency asks Commission to ‘avoid fragmentation’ in new cyber security plans
The EU needs to step up its cooperation between civil and military cyber security authorities when member states are attacked by hackers, according to the EU cyber security agency ENISA.
New EU digital Commissioner adds cabinet members
Less than one month after taking office, the newest EU Commissioner, Mariya Gabriel, has filled several spots in her cabinet.
EU cybersecurity exercise focuses on ‘quasi-democratic’ country and anti-globalisation group
An EU exercise to test countries' ability to react to cybersecurity attacks will focus on threats from terrorist groups, “a quasi-democratic country” and anti-globalisation groups.
Ansip plans new EU cybersecurity centre
EU digital chief Andrus Ansip wants to set up a new office to certify the cybersecurity level of technology products -- which would make them more competitive globally -- as part of an overhaul of the bloc's rules in September.