Technology
Cyprus hosts first European Coding Challenge amid concerns over talent shortage
Nicosia hosted the first inaugural European Coding Challenge on Friday (20 May), where young Cypriots got training and insights from tech experts as the EU tries to ensure it won't lack the skills it needs to achieve digital sovereignty.
Cyber incidents on the rise in Poland, no major impact signalled yet
The war in Ukraine is the first real cyberwar in Europe. Although the number of attacks in Poland has increased, large-scale impacts have not yet been felt.
Tech Brief: Russia looms large at TTC, Microsoft loosens up, net neutrality
Welcome to EURACTIV’s Tech Brief, your weekly update on all things digital in the EU.
Commission chides 13 states for failure to transpose Copyright Directive
The European Commission has issued formal notices to 13 countries, calling on them to transpose the EU’s Copyright Directive, almost a year on from the deadline.
Infrastructure costs: fair contribution versus net neutrality
The European Parliament Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) does not support the Council’s position on network contribution because making big tech firms pay does not follow the principle of net neutrality.
Energy industry’s cybersecurity awareness rises, defence lags
Representatives of the frequently targeted energy industry are more concerned about the risk of cyber attacks than before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a new DNV report found. Apprehension also increased regarding insufficient investments and activities of their organisations.
Facebook whistleblower calls on MEPs to make sure DSA won’t be ‘dead letter’
While revisiting the recently-agreed digital regulations, European Parliament lawmakers were joined by Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen who called on them to do everything necessary to ensure that the DSA will be a "success story".
Microsoft launches cloud changes following EU competition inquiries
Microsoft will adapt its licensing conditions in response to complaints from cloud providers and the rumblings of a competition investigation from the European Commission.
Updates to transparency obligations in latest AI Act compromise text
The French Presidency has issued a new compromise text on the AI Act, proposing changes to the transparency obligations on different AI systems, amongst other measures.
While internet value chain grows, telecom operators lag behind
While internet value chains continue to grow by 15% per year, a new report by GSMA warns that market imbalances between network operators and online service providers could threaten global growth prospects in several sectors.
Russia’s war in Ukraine dominates EU-US trade and tech talks
Russia's war in Ukraine has been at the centre of the ongoing Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in Paris, on which the EU and the US gave a second update on Monday (16 May). EURACTIV France reports.
US, EU to boost coordination on semiconductor supply, Russia
The United States and the European Union plan to announce on Monday (16 May) a joint effort aimed at identifying semiconductor supply disruptions as well as countering Russian disinformation, officials said.
Swiss voters approve ‘Lex Netflix’ TV streaming funding law
Swiss voters on Sunday (15 May) backed proposals to make global TV streaming services such as Netflix Inc, Amazon and Disney invest some of their revenues generated in Switzerland into domestic film-making.
Politics cannot be avoided but impact on contest limited, says Eurovision organiser
It is naive to think cultural institutions can be wholly separated from what is happening in the world and the invasion of Ukraine was so extraordinary that it required an exceptional reaction, the head of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU)...
Poland pushes for digital and telecoms integration with Ukraine
Poland sent a letter to the European Commission asking them to support better digital integration of Ukraine including in the telecoms sector with other countries expected to add their voices to the call.
Musk puts $44 bln Twitter deal ‘temporarily on hold’, shares slide
Elon Musk tweeted that his $44-billion deal for Twitter Inc was “temporarily on hold” on Friday while he waits for data on the proportion of its fake accounts, sending shares in the social media platform plunging.
Tech Brief: the encryption question, NIS2 agreed, platform workers’ battle
Welcome to EURACTIV’s Digital Brief, your weekly update on all things digital in the EU. You can subscribe to the newsletter here. “Today’s proposal sets clear obligations for companies to detect and report the abuse of children, with strong safeguards guaranteeing...
Czech EU presidency to prioritise fight against hybrid threats, deputy minister says
The Czech EU Council presidency will put the focus on hybrid threats, by accelerating discussions about disinformation and interference set out in the EU’s Strategic Compass, Deputy Minister of Defence Jan Havranek told EURACTIV.
News media eye financial diversification with ‘more funding than ever’
New and collaborative funding models are proving crucial to media innovation and will be essential to securing long-term sustainability for newsrooms and beyond, stakeholders and those working in the sector have emphasised.
Controversy surrounds new cybercrime protocol as plenary vote still hangs in the balance
While the date for the ratification of the Second Additional Cybercrime Protocol by the European Parliament is yet to be set, civil society and MEPs call for the opinion of the European Court of Justice over data and privacy concerns.
LEAK: Russia main focus of upcoming transatlantic TTC summit
The confrontation with Russia will be at the centre of the next high-level meeting of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC), according to the draft conclusions obtained by EURACTIV.
Conservatives prepare to battle on platform workers directive, rally up with industry
Conservative MEPs from the European People's Party (EPP) are preparing their counter-offensive against the rapporteur's push for tight employment protection for platform workers, joining forces with the industry.
France sees boom in personal data breaches in 2021
France has hit an all-time record in notifications of personal data breaches, up 79% from 2020, the latest report of France's data protection watchdog CNIL has found. EURACTIV France reports.