Digital
Czech cities against Uber, but European court has the last word
It is not easy to be an Uber driver in the Czech Republic. The capital, Prague, has fined them and the second city Brno is now an Uber-free zone. Although public opinion is broadly positive, the EU courts are probably Uber’s last hope.
EU telecoms watchdog: ‘We are independent and we bother powerful people’
Sébastien Soriano spoke to EURACTIV about what Yoda can teach us about EU telecoms law, accusations that he is lobbying to change draft rules, net neutrality and the likely new Digital Commissioner Mariya Gabriel.
The Estonian Presidency, at a time when ‘ice starts to melt’
Estonia's goal is to have a presidency during which the European winter of discontent gives way to a new spring, the President of Estonia, Kersti Kaljulaid, writes in an exclusive op-ed for EURACTIV.com.
Seventeen EU leaders ask Tusk for digital talks on ‘highest level’
On the eve of an EU summit, leaders from 17 EU countries have asked European Council President Donald Tusk for highest-level talks on EU digital policy, saying it was the single market’s main engine and should receive stronger political support.
Estonia, Bulgaria and Austria ‘presidency trio’ outlines priorities
Ministers representing the incoming Estonian, Bulgarian and Austrian presidencies of the Council of the EU outlined on Tuesday (20 June) their priorities, which seem to differ substantially.
Gabriel breezes through cozy hearing on way to top EU digital job
Mariya Gabriel, the 38-year-old Bulgarian MEP tipped to become the new EU digital chief, told MEPs during her approval hearing that she wants to “comply” with the European Commission's policy priorities.
From drones to cyberattacks – shoring up corporate security
With its high-performance networks and data centers, Deutsche Telekom is arguably Europe's leading ICT-services provider, writes the German telecoms group, whose services range from drone protection to cybersecurity.
Orgalime’s Vision: Technology for the World, Manufactured in Europe
A digital revolution is happening in manufacturing: the combination of connected digital technologies and data analytics is unlocking new opportunities and creating jobs and growth.
#DigitalFacts: Building Europe’s Gigabit Society
The European Parliament and the member states are discussing crucial digital reform. As they review the first Electronic Communications Code in Europe’s history, find out more about how companies are contributing to a connected and digitised future for Europeans.
Pressured in Europe, Facebook details removal of terrorism content
Facebook on Thursday (15 June) offered additional insight on its efforts to remove terrorism content, a response to political pressure in Europe to militant groups using the social network for propaganda and recruiting.
Mobile roaming fees disappear, but MEPs want more EU rules
European mobile phone contracts are required to charge domestic rates for calls, SMS and data use when users travel in the EU starting today (15 June), capping off a ten-year fight to get rid of roaming fees.
The Brief, powered by Eni: EU wants us out of the roam zone
Hats off to the European Commission for squeezing two crowd-pleasing stories into one week. Just yesterday, Jean-Claude Juncker celebrated the 1 million 'Erasmus babies' (TMI, really) during a celebration of the programme. Tomorrow the EU wants to score again when it gets rid of mobile roaming fees within Europe.
MEPs demand EU strategy to protect gig economy workers
The European Parliament is expected to adopt a draft report on Thursday (15 June) calling on EU and national authorities to ensure “fair working conditions and adequate legal and social protection for all workers” in the collaborative economy.
Darknet guru: New technology can help build European identity
Modern technology could shore up the European project, boost transparency and help governments collect taxes. Author Jamie Bartlett told EURACTIV.com that the EU should become the great technological innovator but warned that politicians simply aren’t prepared for massive changes ahead.
Fake news: Europe needs a plan
Fake news is now the buzz word across Europe and the wider world. But how do we fight it? Nicolas Vanderbiest and Gary Machado warn that censorship is not the solution.
Digital development plan promotes EU tech laws
A new European Commission aid plan promises to channel more development funds into building internet networks in Africa, in the hope that the bloc's fresh privacy and net neutrality rules could become a template for other countries.
Commission struggles with tax exemptions in EU-wide pension proposal
European Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis admitted on Thursday (8 June) that full harmonisation across Europe, for the tax regime applied to the upcoming EU-wide personal pension insurance, was "unlikely".
Facebook has started fighting hatred, but attacks on Muslims and Jews remain common
Facebook and YouTube are upping their fight against hate content. However, almost every other hate post is targeted against Muslims or migrants, and every tenth against Jews. EURACTIV Czech Republic partner Aktuálně reports.
After London attack, Facebook says aims to be ‘hostile environment’ for terrorists
Facebook said it wanted to make its social media platform a "hostile environment" for terrorists in a statement issued after attackers killed seven people in London and prompted Prime Minister Theresa May to demand action from internet firms.
European court may force Uber out of Europe
A key decision awaits the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). Will the Court’s judges side with the opponents of sharing services such as Uber, or will they instead support their further development? EURACTIV Czech Republic’s partner Aktuálně reports.
EU agrees to fund free Wi-Fi for European towns with no internet coverage
European Union legislators agreed yesterday (29 May) to set aside €120 million to provide free wireless internet connections by 2020 to up to 8,000 municipalities in the EU in areas with no internet coverage.
Tata CEO: Europe should unleash the Jugaad mindset
To manage change and transform economies, affluent countries need to experiment fast and roll out new models that enable them to grow in a more innovative way, Amit Bajaj told EURACTIV.com in an interview, stressing the need for social innovation.
Council backs 30% European content threshold for audiovisual platforms
EU ministers agreed on Tuesday (23 May) to stricter requirements for online media platforms. Under the proposed rules, at least 30% of the content offered by companies such as Netflix, Google Play and iTunes will have to be produced in Europe. EURACTIV Spain reports.
EU states approve plans to make social media firms tackle hate speech
European Union ministers approved proposals on Tuesday (23 May) to make social media companies such as Facebook, Twitter and Google's YouTube tackle videos with hate speech on their platforms.