About: Axel Voss

Health experts call for the GDPR revision for cross-border health data sharing
Health experts are urging EU policymakers and legislators to review the EU’s legal data protection framework, the GDPR, which is hampering the sharing of pseudonymised health data outside the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA).
MEPs chart path for a European approach to Artificial Intelligence
EU lawmakers debated the bloc's approach to regulating Artificial Intelligence technologies on Tuesday (12 May), in an effort to chart a path for how the EU will manage the onset of next-generation technologies.
MEP Giegold on infringement: Germans in top positions must show the way
Commission boss Ursula von der Leyen may have to be tough on Germany and possibly launch infringement procedures to avoid accusations of being soft on her home country, particularly ahead of Berlin's upcoming EU presidency, according to Green MEP Sven Giegold, who had demanded explanations on the issue. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EPP cite controversial PEPP-PT as example for single European COVID-19 app
The controversial Pan-European Privacy-Preserving Proximity Tracing (PEPP-PT) project provides a good example of how an EU COVID-19 mobile app should function, the European Parliament's largest political group said on Tuesday (21 April), drawing criticism from other parties.
One year of EU copyright reform: Is the Internet still working?
A year ago, EU copyright law was reformed under strong protest and with a narrow majority in the EU Parliament. Germany is still working on implementation, but civil society is already preparing to fight the directive in court. EURACTIV Germany reports.
MEP Axel Voss publishes EU digital manifesto, warns of EU’s ‘digital dependency’
Conservative German MEP Axel Voss, also known as the father of the controversial copyright reform, has published a manifesto on European digital policy in which he warns that Europe should not become a "digital colony" of other powers. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Copyright directive ‘not in danger’ EU says, following Google backlash
The European Commission has assured those involved that the EU's controversial copyright directive is "not in danger," following Google's announcement that it will avoid renumerating content creators by implementing technical changes to the way it displays news online.
Google is like a ‘digital dictatorship’, says EU copyright rapporteur
In an interview with EURACTIV'S media partner EuroEFE, German MEP Axel Voss, rapporteur for the controversial European "copyright" directive, defends the need to combat monopolies on the Internet, including that of the US giant Google.
Digital Brief: ‘No letting down the guard’
Welcome to EURACTIV’s Digital Brief, your weekly update on all things digital in the EU. You can subscribe to the newsletter here.
Censorship fears linger as copyright directive overcomes final hurdle
A "censorship of the internet" could be in store as a direct result of the EU's new rules on Copyright protection, a Polish government minister said on Monday (15 April), as EU member states approved the controversial plans after more than two years.
MEPs back historic plans to overhaul copyright law
The European Parliament backed historic measures to reform EU copyright law on Tuesday (26 March) in a move set to have a far-reaching impact on rights for content creators and artists across the continent.
EU copyright reforms pit creative industry against internet activists, consumers
Europe’s creative industries are urging EU lawmakers to back a proposed overhaul of the bloc’s copyright rules, putting them at odds with internet activists who oppose a requirement to install filters to block copyright material. The European Parliament is due to vote on the controversial plans today (26 March).
Copyright MEP in bomb threat scare
German police are investigating the Bonn office of Axel Voss, the MEP leading the controversial copyright directive through the European Parliament, after he was the subject of a bomb threat last week, German media are reporting.
Deal struck on copyright reform after ‘intense’ negotiations
The future of online copyright is set to be radically transformed as Parliament and Council negotiators struck an agreement on the controversial Copyright Directive on Wednesday (13 February) evening, over two years after the measures were first introduced by the Commission.
EU countries agree on copyright reforms, deal in sight next week
The European Union’s effort to rewrite two-decade old copyright rules to take into account online platforms such as Alphabet Inc’s Google moved a step forward on Friday (8 February) when a majority of member countries agreed on a common position for talks with lawmakers next week.
Copyright directive faces further setback as final trilogue postponed
The controversial EU copyright directive faces a further setback after the final inter-institutional negotiations set to take place on Monday evening (21 January) were cancelled on Friday.
Copyright directive faces tough test as EU ambassadors meet
EU ambassadors convene on Friday morning (18 January) to try and reach a provisional deal on the controversial copyright directive ahead of final "trialogue" talks next Monday (21 January). Meanwhile, lobbyists in Brussels ramp up their opposition against the bill.
Shadow rapporteurs take stand against Parliament’s handling of copyright directive
Shadow rapporteurs on the controversial copyright directive are frustrated that the European Parliament does not have a unified position on disputed Articles 11 and 13, with one MEP telling EURACTIV that Parliament has been conducting institutional negotiations without a text fully agreed on by shadows.
Copyright could force us to pull out of EU, Google News boss says
A specific article in the controversial copyright directive may result in Google withdrawing their news aggregator service from the EU, EURACTIV has learnt. EU ministers are set to discuss the issue and reach an agreement on the file later this week.
An EU Copyright law for the 21st century film and TV industry
The EU Copyright Directive, which is currently being finalised by the Council and the European Parliament, must include a principle of fair and proportionate remuneration to be fit for the 21st century film and TV industry, writes Cécile Despringre.
Drama strikes hemicycle as European Parliament backs copyright bill
The European Parliament backed the controversial copyright bill on Wednesday (12 September), drawing cheers of jubilation and howls of disapproval from MEPs in the Strasbourg hemicycle.
Living on a prayer: Artists step up case for copyright reform
A vote on the contentious copyright bill will take place in the European Parliament on 12 September in Strasbourg. The directive aims to ensure that producers of creative content are remunerated fairly online. A number of artists, including Sir Paul McCartney, have supported the bill, while opponents say it could lead to censorship.
Venice film festival: European directors lobby MEPs on copyright
A group of Europe's best-known film directors have come out in support of the upcoming EU copyright bill, to be voted on in the September plenary.