Digital
NSA, FBI expose Russian intelligence hacking tool
The US National Security Agency and Federal Bureau of Investigation have exposed a sophisticated Russian hacking tool, they said on Thursday (13 August) in a rare public report offering new insight on Russia’s arsenal of digital weapons.
Pompeo says 5G declaration protects Slovenia against authoritarian threats
The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that by signing a 5G declaration on Thursday (14 August) Slovenia has secured protection against "authoritarian threats" including China's effort "to control people and information."
Airbnb backs OECD approach to digital services tax
Home rental startup Airbnb said on Wednesday (12 August) it supported the development of a digital services tax regime being discussed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to bridge a divide between the United States and Europe.
French privacy watchdog opens preliminary investigation into TikTok
France's data privacy watchdog CNIL said on Tuesday (11 August) that it has opened a preliminary investigation into Chinese-owned video-sharing app TikTok after it received a complaint.
Pompeo in Prague at start of central Europe visit
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Prague on Tuesday (11 August), public TV footage showed, to open a five-day visit to central Europe with a hefty agenda including China's role in 5G network construction.
Facebook, Microsoft gripes with Apple’s App Store on EU’s antitrust radar
Facebook and Microsoft's grievances over how their gaming apps appear on Apple's App Store may feed into an EU investigation into the iPhone maker's business as EU antitrust regulators said such concerns are on their radar.
EU and US politicians: Facebook must do more to stop online sexism
Facebook Inc must step up and protect women in politics from threats of violence and sexism and hate on its platform, said a letter to the company from female members of the US Congress such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and top female politicians from the EU.
Facebook, Twitter pull Trump posts over coronavirus misinformation
Facebook on Wednesday (5 August) took down a post by US President Donald Trump, which the company said violated its rules against sharing misinformation about the coronavirus.
Suspected Russian hackers stole contents of ex-UK trade minister’s email account
Suspected state-backed Russian hackers are believed to have stolen the entire contents of a personal email account used by former British trade minister Liam Fox as part of an attempt to sway the 2019 UK election, two sources told Reuters.
US ‘cloud’ supremacy has Europe worried about data
Europe is sitting on a wealth of data that is the 21st century equivalent of a precious metal mine during the gold rush. But instead of exploiting it themselves Europeans may be allowing American tech giants to gain control of all the excavation equipment.
5G disinformation: It’s time to tell the truth
There are many myths concerning 5G networks and electromagnetic fields. The vast majority of them stem from a lack of proper knowledge. Europe should dispel the doubts of the people who are looking for answers, writes Marek Zagórski, Polish Minister of Digital Affairs.
Look-back: Best of the news made in 2020 so far
As the EU institutions - and the EURACTIV newsroom - wind down for the summer break, take a look at some of the biggest, most popular and unusual stories published so far in 2020, as well as the catalogue of our best videos this year.
Google’s $2.1 billion Fitbit deal faces EU antitrust probe: sources
Google’s $2.1 billion bid for fitness tracker maker Fitbit will face a full-scale EU antitrust investigation next week, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday (30 July).
EU to restrict exports to Hong Kong over security law
The European Union on Tuesday (28 July) agreed to limit exports to Hong Kong of equipment that could be used for surveillance and repression after Beijing imposed a controversial new security law.
Protests in Bulgaria are also about media freedom
Protests in Bulgaria are a genuine civil protest against the party-state and in favour of basic democratic rights such as media freedom, writes Maria Stoyanova.
Facebook takes EU antitrust regulators to court
US technology giant Facebook is suing EU regulators after a spat between the two parties erupted over access to company documents as part of an ongoing antitrust probe.
Commission eyes US GAFA hearing for future competition challenges
The heads of US tech giants Facebook, Amazon, Google and Apple are set to testify in a US congressional hearing on Wednesday (29 July) as part of an ongoing probe into the dominance of digital platforms. For the EU, the hearing could provide a valuable insight into how to address competition challenges in the digital economy.
Commission still assessing 2016 complaint into Hungarian media state aid
An investigation into state aid for Hungary's media sector is still being investigated by the European Commission four years after the complaint was first submitted, the EU executive confirmed today (27 July).
Mass resignations at Hungary’s biggest news site as fallout from editor’s sacking continues
Nearly 60 journalists have resigned from the 90-member editorial team of Index, Hungary's leading independent media outlet, in what is being described as a devastating blow to the country's free press and media plurality.
Commission to present mandatory rules for platforms to ‘detect, report, and remove’ online abuse
The European Commission will propose legislation later this year and in 2021 that will force online platforms to undertake measures to stop the spread of online child abuse, the EU's home affairs chief Ylva Johansson announced on Friday (24 July).
Commission presents security strategy to tackle Europe’s evolving threat landscape
Better cybersecurity standards for critical infrastructure, doubling down on tackling terrorism and organized crime, and preparing the bloc for emerging threats in “real and digital” environments, dominated the European Commission’s new EU Security Union strategy, presented on Friday (24 July)....
Commission presses member states to take action on high-risk 5G vendors
EU nations must make urgent progress on mitigating the risks to 5G telecommunications networks posed by certain high-risk suppliers, the European Commission said in a progress report published on Friday (24 July).
Austria’s online hate speech law prompts question marks about ‘overblocking’
In the fight against illegal online content, the Austrian government wants to make platforms more accountable. Many details are still missing, but the German NetzDG seems to be a model. Critics fear over-blocking and collateral damage but also see opportunities. EURACTIV Germany reports.