Digital
Digital Brief, powered by Facebook: AI in EU, US tech rundown, Digital Euro plans
Welcome to EURACTIV’s Digital Brief, your weekly update on all things digital in the EU. You can subscribe to the newsletter here. “We cannot rely on the decisions made by algorithms.” – Dunja Mijatović, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights....
EU Parliament under fire over ‘illegal US data transfers’ from COVID website
European Parliament services are coming under pressure from a group of lawmakers working with privacy activist Max Schrems over allegations that the institution's coronavirus test management website is illegally siphoning data to US-based firms.
After a year of disruption, changes to the world of work will continue
2020 saw the swift transformation of work as an unprecedented amount of people worked from home, while others had to completely change their systems to adapt to the health crisis. Though the end of the pandemic is in sight, certain changes will remain and even accelerate in 2021.
Dating apps and videoconferencing could be monitored in new EU data rules
Dating apps and videoconferencing tools could come under the scope of new EU efforts to monitor online communications in a bid to stamp out child sexual abuse material, internal documents obtained by EURACTIV reveal.
Google and French publishers sign agreement over copyright
In a first in Europe, Alphabet’s Google and a group of French publishers said on Thursday they had agreed a general framework over copyrights under which the U.S. tech giant will pay publishers for content online.
Google’s advertising practices targeted by EU antitrust probe
EU antitrust regulators have sought information from advertisers regarding Google's advertising technology practices, a European Commission document seen by Reuters shows.
Commission and ECB join forces on digital euro as privacy concerns emerge
The European Commission is to work alongside the European Central Bank (ECB) in probing a range of 'policy, legal and technical' pitfalls that could emerge as part of plans to introduce a digital euro crypto-currency in mid-2021.
Hungary raises concerns about ‘shadow banning’ of online speech
The practice of so-called 'shadow banning' is stifling freedom of expression online and may have to be addressed through regulatory measures, Hungary's Minister of Justice Judit Varga has said, accusing Facebook of inhibiting "Christian, conservative, right-wing opinions".
Slovak recovery plan for country’s digital sector remains unaddressed
The Slovak government has emphasised the need to support the digital sector, where the country is lagging behind, but the first plans of the "reform menu", presented in October, do not specifically address it.
New player shakes up Bulgarian media landscape
United Group, a leading multi-play telecoms and media provider in South-East Europe, has bought a large chunk of the Bulgarian media, as its latest acquisition was cleared by the country’s anti-cartel body on Monday (18 January).
Spain’s new Google and Tobin taxes to generate about €1 billion this year
Spain’s new taxes on digital and financial services, approved last year, came into force on Saturday (16 January). The first collection is expected in March or April, EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.
Swedish court dismisses Huawei appeal over 5G network ban
A Swedish court has dismissed an appeal by Huawei against its exclusion from the country’s 5G network roll out, paving the way for the 5G spectrum auction scheduled for next week to proceed as planned.
Amazon Web Services opens first office in Greece
Amazon Inc’s cloud computing division opened its first office in Greece on Friday (15 January) to support what it said was a growing number of companies and public sector agencies using its cloud services.
Digital Brief: The fate of free expression, Copyright in Germany, DPAs given more teeth
Welcome to EURACTIV’s Digital Brief, your weekly update on all things digital in the EU. You can subscribe to the newsletter here. “It is no longer acceptable in our view that platforms take some key decisions by themselves alone without any...
MEPs mull over ‘significant risks’ of Artificial Intelligence
MEPs have been urged to consider the 'significant risks' that next-generation Artificial Intelligence applications could entail, particularly with regards to discrimination, employment, and social exclusion.
Slovenia resumes funding news agency after EU warning
The Slovenian government said on Thursday (14 January) it had restored the financing of national news agency STA after Brussels warned against any attempt to pressure public media outlets.
German law aims to tackle the market power of digital giants
Germany is modernising its competition law to stand up to digital corporations. In the future, the Cartel Office will be able to act faster and tougher when companies dominate the market. Europe can learn from this. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU companies in China warned to ‘prepare for the worst’ in digital decoupling
Digital decoupling between China and the United States could severely impact EU businesses in China and they should "prepare for the worst" and may be forced into a costly separation of their international operations, European business groups said.
Space a ‘critical resource’ for green and digital transitions, Portuguese minister says
Portugal's minister for science, technology and higher education, Manuel Heitor, on Wednesday (14 January) described space as a "critical resource" in the EU green and digital transition and in promoting "a new future for Europeans".
Watchdogs across EU should be allowed to challenge Facebook, EU court adviser says
The adviser to the EU’s top court has issued a recommendation to allow data protection agencies in any EU country to take legal action against Facebook or any other tech firm even if their regional headquarters are in a different EU state.
Spain to launch Whatsapp channel to fight vaccine disinformation
Spain’s health ministry will soon launch a WhatsApp interactive channel to fight against disinformation on COVID-19 vaccines, El País reported. This should help reduce the percentage of Spaniards who still refuse to get vaccinated. EURACTIV's partner EuroEfe reports.
German police take down ‘world’s largest darknet marketplace’
German police have taken down the "world's largest" darknet marketplace, whose Australian alleged operator used it to sell drugs, stolen credit card data and malware, prosecutors said Tuesday (12 January).
FBI probes Russian-linked postcard sent to FireEye CEO
The FBI is investigating a mysterious postcard sent to the home of cybersecurity firm FireEye’s chief executive days after it found initial evidence of a suspected Russian hacking operation on dozens of US government agencies and private American companies.