Digital & Media
Digital Brief powered by Facebook: Pegasus affair, Schrems III, online anonymity questioned
Welcome to EURACTIV’s Digital Brief, your weekly update on all things digital in the EU. You can subscribe to the newsletter here. “These [allegations] have to be verified, but if it is the case, it is completely unacceptable, against any kind...
France launches investigation into Pegasus spying allegations
The French government spokesman announced this morning (July 22) that "investigations have been launched" after the revelations of "Project Pegasus" which claim that one of Emmanuel Macron's phone numbers was spied on by Morocco.
‘Pingdemic’ grips Britain as fears of food shortages grow
Britain's supermarkets, wholesalers and hauliers were struggling on Thursday (22 July) to ensure stable food and fuel supplies after an official health app told hundreds of thousands of workers to isolate after contact with someone with COVID-19.
Austrian court refers Schrems’ Facebook complaint to EU Court
Austria's Supreme Court has asked the EU Court of Justice for clarification on the legality of Facebook's processing of personal data after data protection activist Max Schrems brought a case before it. The Court in Luxembourg will now decide whether the US giant respected the GDPR since it came into force in 2018.
Commission to look into Pegasus affair, Reynders says
The European Commission has decided to launch an investigation on the surveillance of EU journalists as the bloc reels from the Pegasus Project revelations released over the weekend that governments had used military spyware to intercept communications. “We are starting...
France’s Macron targeted in project Pegasus spyware case
The phone of French President Emmanuel Macron was on a list of potential targets for potential surveillance on behalf of Morocco in the Pegasus spyware case, French daily Le Monde reported on Tuesday.
Study: Anti-refugee disinformation connects extremists, politicians
Online disinformation surrounding refugees and the NGOs working with them acts as a “crucial nexus” between extremist far-right figures and more mainstream politicians, according to recent research.
Expert: Digital euro ‘not clear yet and might not be for a long time’
As the digital euro moves to the experimentation phase, experts criticise the lack of clarity around the project and the decade long delay compared to cryptocurrencies.
US, Europe condemn China for ‘malicious’ Microsoft cyberattack
The United States on Monday (19 July) accused Beijing of carrying out a massive hack of Microsoft email servers and charged four Chinese nationals as it rallied the EU and other allies in rare joint statement condemning "malicious" cyber activity from China.
Online racial abuses in the UK prompt calls to end anonymity online
The thousands of anonymous social media accounts that attacked English football players with racist slurs following the European Championship final prompted discussions on how to end anonymity online.
Digital Brief: DGA adopted, DSA opinion, WhatsApp complaints
Welcome to EURACTIV’s Digital Brief, your weekly update on all things digital in the EU. You can subscribe to the newsletter here. “We want to build up a European data economy. The personal data revolution was made by Facebook, Google and others....
Germany still lagging far behind on e-government, open data
In Germany, e-government and open data remain largely untapped potentials despite holding enormous economic opportunities and being basic prerequisites for smarter cities, a recently published OECD study shows. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Parliament committee adopts act ‘to build up a European data economy’
The legislative proposal that will define data governance rules for industrial data across the EU received the green light in the relevant European Parliament committee on Friday (16 July). The committee on industry, research and energy adopted the report on...
Dutch crime reporter De Vries dies after being shot in street
Celebrity Dutch crime reporter Peter R. de Vries has died after being shot in a busy Amsterdam street, his family and his employer RTL Netherlands said, prompting an outpouring of grief and anger at home and abroad.
Advocat General dismisses Poland’s challenge to Copyright Directive
The EU top court's Advocate General has advised it to dismiss the legal action Warsaw initiated against the EU Copyright Directive, deeming its provisions compatible with freedom of expression under certain conditions.
‘Fit for 55,’ Belarus migrant stand off and Whatsapp complaints
In our last episode of the season, the Yellow Room brings you all the reaction to Europe’s “Fit for 55” climate package unveiled this week. To break down the components of this story we spoke with EURACTIV energy and environment reporter Kira Taylor.
New bill threatens to further narrow Poland’s media landscape
A new bill submitted to the Polish parliament last week (7 July) would place restrictions on the granting of broadcasting licenses, raising concerns that this is the latest instalment in a narrowing of press freedom in the country.
Ideological debate over EU industrial strategy heats up
An ideological debate over the future of Europe’s industrial strategy is heating up as the bloc reconsiders how best to achieve strategic independence from foreign suppliers in key economic areas. The disruption of international supply chains due to the pandemic...
Google fined €500 mln for lack of ‘good faith’ in negotiations with French press
The French competition authority has slapped a record €500 million fine on Google for not having negotiated "in good faith" with news publishers and agencies on neighbouring rights - the remuneration for the reuse of copyrighted content they are entitled to.
Assess full effects of technology on work before regulating, warns EU tech lawmaker
EU lawmakers should make sure they see the full effects of technological change on working patterns before they regulate them, as we are likely to see a continued shift towards remote and flexible employment, policymakers said at an event hosted by EURACTIV on the future of work across the bloc.
WhatsApp faces consumer groups’ complaint over new privacy policy
Several consumer organisations have launched a complaint against WhatsApp, accusing the messaging app of unduly pressuring users to accept its new privacy policy without explaining its consequences for personal data.
Digital Brief: ePrivacy derogation adopted, YouTube’s algorithm, killer acquisitions
Welcome to EURACTIV’s Digital Brief, your weekly update on all things digital in the EU. You can subscribe to the newsletter here. “This interim regulation ends uncertainty for companies. It does not end the danger to children. This is only a...
Publishers eye collective bargaining as way to take on platforms
As efforts to level the playing field between publishers and platforms gather steam around the world, collective bargaining approaches are also attracting support.