About: Austria
Schrems has Facebook data processing in sights for next coup
After notorious data activist Max Schrems already brought down the EU-US Privacy Shield data transfer agreement, his next coup could turn Facebook's entire data processing upside down. In an interview with EURACTIV Germany, Schrems spoke about his new case against the tech giant and the impact it could have.
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.
Germany urges end to Middle East violence as EU calls talks
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Sunday (16 May) it is "imperative" for Israelis and Palestinians to stop fighting and resume talks ahead of an emergency meeting this week with his EU counterparts.
EU countries squabble over 10 million extra doses of Pfizer vaccine
EU nations fell out Thursday (1 April) over how to divide up 10 million extra doses of coronavirus vaccine, with Austria, Slovenia and the Czech Republic refusing to help five struggling countries.
Israel, Denmark, Austria agree deal for vaccine development
Leaders from Israel, Austria and Denmark announced Thursday (4 March) in Jerusalem an alliance for the development and production of future generation coronavirus vaccines, a deal that has already sparked criticism in Europe.
Israeli critics warn EU against legitimising Palestinian ‘vaccination apartheid’
A group of prominent Israelis have warned Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz not to cooperate with Israel on vaccines, citing what they termed vaccination “apartheid” vis-à-vis the country’s Palestinian population.
Leapfrogging gas: how geothermal could help eastern EU countries ditch fossil fuels
Geothermal energy could help central and eastern Europe break away from coal and gas, but it needs a quicker uptake and government backing to help meet renewable energy targets, advocates say.
Austria presents its anti-Semitism strategy
Austria presented its anti-Semitism strategy on Thursday (21 January). It is ambitious, but feasible, says one expert. EURACTIV Germany reports.
WHO urges countries to ‘look very, very carefully’ at ski season plans
The World Health Organisation (WHO) urged nations on Monday (30 November) to carefully consider the coming ski season's risks, as Switzerland runs lifts and Austria mulls following suit while Germany, Italy and France shutter mountain operations to slow the pandemic.
Make Big Tech accountable, Austria says in Digital Services Act recommendations
Austria has called on the European Commission to make online platforms more accountable for the hosting of illegal content in a series of recommendations for the EU's Digital Services Act, citing the country's Communication Platforms Act as an example for the EU to follow.
Austrian court orders Facebook to delete same and similar hate postings worldwide
Austria's Supreme Court of Justice of Justice has decided that Facebook will have to delete 'hate postings' against former Green party leader Eva Glawischnig, not only in Austria but also worldwide. EURACTIV Germany reports.
France pushes for joint European response to terrorism threat
Several key EU leaders, including France and Germany, promised at a mini-summit on Tuesday (10 November) to renew efforts to fight Islamist terrorism, calling for a reform of the Schengen area and measures against foreign fighters.
EU states ponder means to access encrypted data
EU member states want more competences to be able to look into messages with end-to-end encryption, according to the draft Council decisions which has been made available to EURACTIV Germany.
Eight detained after Vienna attack had previous convictions
Eight of those detained following Monday night's terrorist attack in Vienna had previous convictions, including for terror offences, the Austrian interior minister said Thursday (5 November), as the investigation extended to Switzerland and a second, unnamed country.
Austria’s Kurz urges EU to do more to fight ‘political Islam’
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz called on the European Union Tuesday (3 November) to do more to fight "political Islam", which he said represented a grave threat to European values.
Gunmen kill four in ‘Islamist terror attack’ in Vienna, manhunt launched
Gunmen attacked six locations in central Vienna starting outside the main synagogue, killing two people and injuring at least 17 in what Austria called a “repulsive terror attack” while hunting one or more assailants on the loose.
Austria to enter ‘partial’ November lockdown
Austria's government will impose a second "partial lockdown" for November, forcing restaurants to close but allowing the retail and services sector to remain open. A night curfew from 8pm will also be implemented. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Germany warns against travel to ski regions in Austria, Switzerland, Italy
Germany has issued travel warnings for popular ski regions in Austria, Italy and Switzerland, scrambling to contain the spread of the coronavirus as new infection numbers rose above 10,000 a day for the first time.
Social Democrats win, far-right collapses in Vienna elections
The recent Vienna election was a great victory for Social Democrats while the far-right FPÖ suffered a massive crash, losing two-thirds of support. The final result will be available Tuesday evening (13 October), but coalition options are already clear. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU must openly discuss Turkey sanctions, says Austria’s EU minister
At the next European summit, Austria wants to speak openly about sanctions against Ankara, including the possibility to break off accession talks with Turkey, the country's EU Minister Karoline Edtstadler told EURACTIV Germany.
Swiss-Austrian alliance plans night-train boost by 2024
New night-train services linking Switzerland with Amsterdam, Barcelona and Rome are going to roll out by 2024, a Swiss-Austrian rail operator alliance announced on Tuesday (15 September).
EU ban on neonicotinoids must be ‘strictly respected’, says Green MEP
After announcing €30 billion in support of an ecological transition last Thursday, the French government presented a controversial bill authorising an exemption from the ban on neonicotinoid insecticides, a class of pesticides suspected to be harmful to bees. German Green MEP Martin Häusling explains to EURACTIV FRANCE why he is challenging the decision.
Austria to file charges against Turkish spy
Austria will file charges against a person who has confessed to spying for Turkey's secret service, and authorities are investigating more suspected espionage activities, its interior minister said, warning Turkey this would not be tolerated.