Digital & Media

Facebook announces 10,000 EU jobs to build ‘metaverse’

Facebook on Monday (18 October) announced plans to hire 10,000 people in the European Union to build the "metaverse", a virtual reality version of the internet that the tech giant sees as the future.

EDPS on the future of privacy

We have asked the European Data Protection Supervisor Wojciech Wiewiorowski about its recent proposal to organise a conference to review the enforcement of GDPR, the EU privacy law.

Greater inclusivity in post-pandemic connectivity push is needed

The COVID-19 pandemic has driven home to policymakers the urgency of expanding connectivity, but further work is needed to ensure that its roll-out across the EU is comprehensive and inclusive, say experts working on the programme.

Pegasus Project wins Daphne Caruana Galizia journalism prize

The European Parliament’s journalism prize, named after assassinated journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was awarded on Thursday (14 October) to the Pegasus Project which revealed global surveillance of journalists, politicians, and activists.

Policymakers ask for more coordination in EU digital education

Digital skills and excellent infrastructure are essential to ensure no European is left behind in the digital transition. Still, experts at a panel this week said that a faster pace and better cohesion are needed to achieve the Commission's targets for 2030.

AI regulation and the future of work – What are the opportunities and concerns?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is at the heart of the digital transformation and can significantly bolster the European economy. The EU AI Act will set out the regulatory framework for the way AI will be used across all industries.

Irish privacy watchdog endorses Facebook’s approach to data protection

A draft decision from Ireland's Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) endorsing Facebook's legal basis for processing personal data has been met with criticism by a data protection activist who says the platform is trying to bypass EU privacy laws.

Russia excluded from 30-country meeting to fight ransomware and cyber crime

Russia was not invited to attend a 30-country virtual meeting led by the United States that is aimed at combating the growing threat of ransomware and other cyber crime, a senior administration official said.

The importance of connectivity during and after the COVID-19 crisis

A new digital divide has emerged, not only between well-connected urban areas and rural and remote territories, but also between those who can fully benefit from an enriched, accessible and secure digital space with a full range of services, and those who cannot.

Apple continues pushback on sideloading and third-party app stores

As international pressure on Apple's increases over accusations of anti-competitive practices, the tech giant continues to push back against alternative app shops and sideloading in the name of user security.

Albania’s declining media freedom won’t impact EU accession

The European Commission has said it will not require Albania to withdraw plans for a controversial law that would bring all online media under state supervision in order to open EU accession negotiations.

EU-US policy talks to show that democracy can deliver, Vestager says

The EU's digital chief said both the EU and US share the same concerns and called for transatlantic convergence to address how emerging technologies could impact democratic institutions.

Ex-BBC chief regrets departure from Balkans amid media decline

Amid growing state media capture and decreased journalistic freedom in the Western Balkans, a former chief of the BBC World Service said on Tuesday (12 October) he regrets the closure of the world’s largest international broadcaster in the region.

EU media watchdogs and associations urge Greece to protect press freedom

Greece is urged to withdraw proposed amendments that would introduce fines and jail sentences for journalists found guilty of publishing “false news”.

EU Commission gathers expert group on disinformation and digital literacy 

The European Commission launched on Tuesday (12 October) an expert group on disinformation and digital literacy to develop common guidelines for educators when it comes to combating the former and training citizens in the latter.

Digital Inclusiveness: How to ensure no European is left behind

Watch this debate to find out what investments are needed to roll-out gigabit networks and 5G to reach every European? How to overcome the digital differences that persist between countries and regions?

Data Divergences Torpedo Transatlantic Cybersecurity Plans

Beyond these basic similarities in encouraging cybersecurity, the two sides disagree on key points.

Europol nears stronger mandate for data-driven policing capacities

Europol, the EU's law enforcement cooperation agency, is approaching the finishing line to get a broader mandate, legitimising data processing practices that spurred controversy last year.

EU countries reject strict deadline for DSA, DMA

A majority of EU countries have succeeded in rejecting the commitment to a tight timeline for an agreement on two key pieces of digital legislation that would have served well the French government ahead of the presidential elections there in April next year.

The erosion of media freedom in the Balkans has gone too far

The EU is supposed to embody the values of liberty, democracy and fundamental human rights. But when it comes to media freedom, it is a passive observer in the face of widespread abuses on its own turf and in its immediate neighbourhood, writes Antoinette Nikolova.

Slovenian Presidency pitches provisions to ‘avoid enforcement deadlocks’ in DSA

The Slovenian Presidency has advanced an enforcement structure that would give stronger intervention powers to the European Commission in the context of the proposed Digital Services Act (DSA) package. The European Commission presented the package in December 2020. It contains...

Pushed out, president of French competition body feels ‘surprised and disappointed’

The president of the French competition authority, Isabelle de Silva, who has slapped a record-high fine on Google during her tenure, has revealed that she will not be reappointed and will no longer work on some "difficult projects", including the merger of TV channels TF1 and M6.