e-Commerce
UK takes lead in digital tax standoff but diverts from EU plans
The UK is to roll out a digital services tax (DST) for tech giants from April 2020 in a move that breaks an international stalemate on the subject. The rates, however, differ substantially from the EU’s own DST plans.
EU regulators want to know if merchants hurt by Amazon copies
EU antitrust regulators are asking retailers and manufacturers whether Amazon’s sales of own brand products similar to theirs have harmed their business, a move which could lead to a formal case and possibly fines against the U.S. tech giant.
After attacking Google, Vestager now turns to Amazon
The European Commission suspects the e-commerce giant of using the data it collects from third-party vendors on its marketplace to gain a commercial advantage. An article by our partner, La Tribune.
Chancellor Merkel’s digital gurus
In Germany, a ten-member committee takes up its work to speed up the country's digitization efforts and ask uncomfortable questions. EURACTIV Germany's media partner "Der Tagesspiegel" reports.
GDPR: EU’s new data protection rules come into effect
The European Union's new data protection laws came into effect on Friday (25 May), with Brussels saying the changes will protect consumers from being like "people naked in an aquarium".
Online platforms under fire as EU pushes for transparency on search results
Online platforms ranging from ecommerce retailers like Amazon to search engines including Google will be forced to reveal the criteria they use to display search results, under a new European Commission proposal.
Gabriel: Facebook users ‘need to know what happened with their data’
Facebook users “need to know what happened with their data” following reports over a week ago that millions of profiles on the social media platform were secretly used to help political campaigns, EU Digital Commissioner Mariya Gabriel said.
EU plans to pull ‘free’ digital services under consumer protection rules
EXCLUSIVE / Digital services that collect users’ data, like Facebook and Gmail, will be pulled under EU consumer protection rules as part of a European Commission overhaul due next month. Possible sanctions will be raised to up to 4% of a company's turnover.
OECD report stokes last-minute criticism of EU digital tax plan
The OECD warned on Friday (16 March) against the European Commission’s plan to propose a new tax next week targeting digital companies, arguing that it may cause economic distortion and raise business costs.
European Parliament bans geo-blocking for e-commerce
The new legislation approved by European Parliament requires websites to sell their goods throughout the EU regardless of the country the buyer resides in. It could apply to online cultural content like music streaming and ebooks within two years. EURACTIV.fr reports
Moscovici: ‘The credibility of the EU tax haven black list is at stake’
The EU Commissioner for Economic Affairs Pierre Moscovici is determined to table a digital tax proposal at EU level, despite warnings from the OECD. In an exclusive interview with EURACTIV, he also warns EU countries for failing to publish the commitments made by tax havens to exit the EU’s ‘black list’.
OECD’s Gurría: ‘Don’t jump the gun’ on digital tax
The OECD will unveil in April its first conclusions on how to tax internet companies. In an exclusive interview with EURACTIV, its secretary general Ángel Gurría expressed concern about the fragmentation of the EU's response, expected in March.
Negotiators agree to end geoblocking in move ahead on EU ecommerce files
MEPs, member states and the European Commission agreed on a compromise deal to end geoblocking restrictions, a move that will force e-commerce businesses to sell to shoppers around the EU regardless of what country they live in.
Taxing the digital economy could slow progress on tax harmonisation
The issue of taxing the digital economy could undermine efforts for harmonising fiscal rules in Europe. Unless member states kill two birds with one stone. EURACTIV France reports.
Notaries turn blockchain into ally for digital transactions
Once feared as a technology that would make legal practitioners redundant, blockchain has now actually strengthened the role of notaries as interpreters of complex transactions, best illustrated by the convoluted issue of land registries.
EU law goes digital
Legal practitioners have so far stayed relatively immune from the digital revolution. But the situation is starting to evolve as technology issues enter the courtroom – from privacy protection to company law.
Vestager: We will ‘actively’ watch Google’s remedies
Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager said on Wednesday (27 September) that the institution would “actively monitor” a set of remedies proposed by Google to open up its shopping service to competitors as from tomorrow.
Tech industry sounds alarm over draft online payment rules
Twenty-seven e-commerce companies and lobby groups have asked the European Commission to change a draft proposal to regulate payment services, arguing that additional security measures will drive shoppers away from online platforms.
Commission ponders a tax on online sales
The Commission will suggest on Wednesday (20 September) alternatives to tax companies operating on Internet, including a withholding tax on online sales of non-resident companies or a levy on revenues coming from digital services or advertising, according to a document seen by EURACTIV.
EU agrees to draft proposal to raise taxes on internet giants
A majority of member states agreed to start preparing a new levy on digital companies to compensate for low-tax regimes that cost billions of euros to European governments.
Estonia pushes fair taxation plan for web giants in Europe
A precondition for making online companies such as Amazon and Google pay taxes where they are due is to affirm the principle of "virtual permanent establishment", whereby digital firms pay taxes in countries where they have a "significant digital presence", said EU presidency holder Estonia.
E-commerce platforms face new VAT liability rules
Online retailers such as Amazon could come under tighter scrutiny and be forced to collect VAT from companies whose items they sell, according to new changes that EU member states made to a draft bill.
Consumer group warns against e-commerce overhaul
A draft bill to give ecommerce shoppers the same rights across the EU is likely to face a drastic makeover from the European Parliament and national governments—and consumer advocates are worried.