Internet governance
Darknet guru: New technology can help build European identity
Modern technology could shore up the European project, boost transparency and help governments collect taxes. Author Jamie Bartlett told EURACTIV.com that the EU should become the great technological innovator but warned that politicians simply aren’t prepared for massive changes ahead.
EU states approve plans to make social media firms tackle hate speech
European Union ministers approved proposals on Tuesday (23 May) to make social media companies such as Facebook, Twitter and Google's YouTube tackle videos with hate speech on their platforms.
Romanian EU-funded project accused of data protection violations
The Romanian government has been accused of bias in its awarding of EU funding to the country’s intelligence services. The e-Governance project is also facing serious allegations that it violates European and domestic laws on personal data protection.
Dreaming big can help reform gigabit society
Europe’s digital transformation will connect previously-isolated rural communities and create jobs in multiple sectors, as well as improving individual wellbeing through eHealth solutions and encouraging SMEs to flourish, writes Pierre Louette.
Civic tech guru: Trump, Breitbart and populism are ‘the new normal’
The election of Donald Trump in the United States, helped by the far-right opinion news site Breitbart, is not a one-off event, says Victor Fleurot, a communication expert and self-proclaimed "visual activist", in an interview with Euractiv.com.
EU urges US tech giants to act faster against hate speech
US tech giants including Facebook, Twitter, Google's YouTube and Microsoft will have to act faster to tackle online hate speech or face laws forcing them to do so, the European Commission said on Sunday (4 December).
New telecoms rules mark ‘quiet revolution’ as Commission aims to boost internet speed
A set of EU telecoms laws will be remodelled when the European Commission proposes an overhaul today (14 September) of how the sector is governed.
Failed rocket was carrying Facebook satellite to give Africa the Internet
The space rocket which exploded before take-off yesterday (1 September) was carrying a satellite Facebook intended to use to connect sub-Saharan Africa to the internet.
EU may require YouTube, DailyMotion to seek deals with music industry
Websites such as Google's YouTube, DailyMotion and Pinterest could be required to seek licences or revenue-sharing deals with artists for content that is uploaded by their users as part of the European Union's planned copyright overhaul.
European digital single market needs strong net neutrality guidelines
Without a strong protection of the principle of net neutrality, European digital businesses will be confronted with regional fragmentation and new barriers to market entry that will favour the already dominant tech companies from Silicon Valley, writes Stefan Heumann.
Commission asked to crack down on YouTube, Spotify, Netflix in copyright bill
Two groups representing the film and music industry wrote to Jean-Claude Juncker on Monday (11 July) asking the European Commission to crack down on internet companies they say are exploiting artists.
Time for a stakeholders-led platform to shape e-commerce rules
E-commerce is revolutionising, raising new challenges on governance, regulation and traditional international rules. Time is ripe for a stakeholder-based World e-Trade Platform (eWTP) to propose new standards and incubate rules, writes Luigi Gambardella
Confronting the dark side of the Internet
From enabling mass incursions of privacy, to connecting terrorists and paedophiles, to facilitating cybercrime and lending anonymity to bullies and trolls, the net has a darker side, which needs to be tackled, writes Thorbjørn Jagland.
EU regulators take tough approach to net neutrality
Europe's telecoms operators will have to justify giving priority to certain services on their network, according to new EU regulatory guidelines in a move likely to disappoint an industry hoping for more leeway so they can boost revenues.
Google invokes free speech in French fine appeal
Google said Thursday (19 May) it feared for free speech if France succeeded in forcing it to apply the right to have information about a person removed from its search engines not just in France, but worldwide.
Net neutrality: Guidelines or straitjackets?
Depending on how the net neutrality regulation is implemented, it could have some serious adverse consequences, particularly for consumers, writes Robert Kenny.
EU calls for open internet at global conference while net neutrality fight rages in Brussels
European Commission Vice-President Andrus Ansip and ten MEPs signed a joint declaration arguing for non-discriminatory, open internet access during this week's Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Brazil.
ICANN hopes for quick decision on break with US govt
ICANN, the non-profit organisation that administers internet domain names, is up against a tough deadline to cut ties with the US government by next autumn.
EU-wide energy governance plans ‘lack teeth’
EXCLUSIVE / European Commission plans for an EU-wide energy governance system make no mention of punishment for any member state not reaching their climate and energy targets for 2030.
China to Europe: ‘We can build a Silk Road in cyberspace’
China's top internet regulator assured European technology companies on Monday (6 July) that they're welcome to set up shop in China, saying his agency monitors foreign businesses in a fair manner.
US transfer of internet control stalled
Attempts to divest control of the Internet from the US government to a stakeholder group by September might not happen, according to a senior US policymaker, in an early acknowledgment that the issue is likely to be delayed.
US election could trigger battle over Internet governance
SPECIAL REPORT / Officials attempting to reach a deal over the reform of Internet governance have told EURACTIV that delays and the “weaponisation” of the issue in the current US political climate are threatening to ignite an international dispute.
Charlie Hebdo: There is grief, but will there be a debate?
Today, it is necessary to bravely ask the question about how to increase security in Europe, even if certain issues look controversial, writes Micha? Boni.
Breaking up Google
Picking a fight at such a high level with Google would damage the reputation of the European Parliament, writes Kaja Kallas.