Digital
After Trump, we must fight to rebuild the ruins of democracy
Even after US President Trump is gone, the underlying causes of division, mistrust, and frustration won't go away and Europe must future-proof itself against any risks to democracy – particularly in the online world, writes Věra Jourová.Promoted content
New digital regulations: the good and the bad
The introduction of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act has raised many questions about the future of digital platforms in the EU. We have to be realistic about the risks behind these new regulations.
Portuguese PM: Time to deliver a fair, green, digital recovery
After a year scarred by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Portuguese presidency will seek to deliver on a Europe-wide vaccination plan and the National Recovery and Resilience Plans, writes António Costa.Stakeholder Opinion
Unlocking data and embracing digital technologies to transform citizens’ health and wellbeing
If the coronavirus pandemic and Europe-wide lockdowns taught us one thing, it is just how reliant we all are on digital technologies – including for our own health, and that data was in the right place at the right time...Promoted content
Illegal gambling is a threat to the safety of EU citizens
The European Lotteries, the European Casino Association and the World Tote Association join forces to fight illegal online gambling and embrace the foreseen Digital Services Act package.
EU companies ready to take on twin green, digital transitions
EU employers are ready to switch gear and accelerate the roll-out of the green and digital transitions, writes Stefano Mallia.
What the Digital Services Act must do to protect online shoppers
From scam ads on Google and Facebook, the purchase of fake reviews on various platforms to chemicals surpassing legal limits in children’s toys sold on Wish, Amazon and eBay – the internet is rife with products, services and content which should never be offered in Europe, writes Ursula Pachl.
Brussels’ digital plan leaves the key issue unaddressed
Tomorrow, the European Commission will publish its proposal to address excessive power in digital markets. Zeroing in on the digital sector makes little economic sense: new limits to Big Tech’s leverage will not give the European economy the dynamism it needs to foster technological development.
Getting AI right together
The United States and its partners must use the AI moment to renew their commitment to protecting individual rights, restore commercial competition built on fair rules, and strengthen defence alliances that have kept the peace in Europe and the Pacific for 75 years, argue Eric Schmidt and Robert Work.Promoted content
To Ensure a Green Future, We Need Big Data and Smart Mobility
The European Green Deal has set the EU on a course to become the first climate-neutral region on the planet which will position it as a global leader in sustainability and the green economy. The EU’s quest to become climate-neutral will require innovative new technologies, and sustainable manufacturing processes that support them. Investment in environmentally friendly technologies will be critical as today’s technology companies search for solutions to our society’s problems. A focus on smart mobility, technology, big data and big society will lay the foundations for a climate-neutral future.
The Brief, powered by Facebook – Journalism from the couch
Nine months have elapsed since journalists have had no other choice but to exercise their profession from the couch. Press briefings are held online, leaders speak in front of a microphone with no one behind it. Even institutional leaks are...
The ePrivacy saga: the false choice between privacy and funding online publishing
As the Council seems to have (yet again) failed to adopt a general approach for the ePrivacy regulation, one question that bears asking is: would more exceptions for online tracking support online publishers or the advertising industry? Karolina Iwańska argues that here is a way to sustain online publishing and uphold privacySpecial ReportPromoted content
Digitalisation of Justice must be based on the experience of practitioners
On 2 December, the European Commission published its Communication on Digitalisation of Justice in the European Union. It recalls in the preamble that “effective justice systems are also essential for the functioning of the internal market and a prerequisite for...Promoted content
16 days to shine a light on violence against women in Europe
An increase in violence against women and girls is one of the hidden consequences of the COVID-19 crisis. According to UN Women, calls to helplines have increased five-fold in some countries as more people stay at home to counter the...
The Digital Services Act could make or break European democracy
The upcoming EU digital services act marks a key moment for democracy across the bloc, writes Iverna McGowan.
COVID disinformation in Bulgaria: When mainstream media are no better than Facebook
While in most other countries experts blame disinformation on social media like Facebook or foreign powers such as Russia or China, in Bulgaria, the country’s own mainstream media and politicians have contributed the most to spreading confusion and ignorance, write Julia Rone and Georgi Hristov.
Time to act against fake news
Platforms committed in 2018 to a Code of Practice against disinformation, including changes to their algorithms based on ‘Trustworthiness indicators’. As the EU prepares a Digital Services Act and Action Plans on democracy and on media, clearer references are required, write Marc Sundermann, Christophe Leclercq and Paolo Cesarini.
Gaia-X: A trojan horse for Big Tech in Europe
The EU's cloud infrastructure initiative, Gaia-X, poses a great risk of destroying the European ecosystem and hopes of sovereignty after the inclusion of some of the world's largest tech firms in the project, write Stefane Fermigier and Sven Franck.
The fundamental rights concerns at the heart of new EU online content rules
The EU's proposed Online Terrorist Content Regulation and the Intertim Regulation on child abuse materials raise serious fundamental rights concerns, says Eliška Pírková.Special ReportStakeholder Opinion
European app makers urge regulators to think outside of the bubble
As app makers, we may not immediately come to mind when discussing the perils of platform regulation. After all, the new competition rules will only directly apply to large companies acting as ‘gatekeepers’. This opinion is the result of a...
Media plurality in Europe
Smaller independent media are struggling to survive in the wake of COVID-19. The EU should do more to protect media plurality, money needs to go to the support of the media sector, without the risk that those outlets end up being forced to take a specific message or narrative, writes Dace Melbarde.Promoted content
The Future of Work, Digitisation for Legislatures
Legislative assemblies across Europe have faced critical challenges in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Policymakers can't meet in person and geographical restrictions are more prevalent than ever but innovative, secure technology provides a solution.Special ReportPromoted content
European Vocational Skills Week: jobs for the future through VET
Today, the green and digital transitions are reshaping our way of life, work and interactions – and the COVID-19 outbreak has dramatically accelerated most of these changes. Nicolas Schmit is the European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights. The impact...