About: internet

German-German dispute over fibre optic funding to be decided in Brussels

The European Commission is examining German plans to support the fibre optic industry. The Christian Democrat (CDU/CSU) parliamentary group asked for early approval, while the fixed network industry association BREKO is opposed to the measures. EURACTIV Germany has seen both letters.

Commission: Internet ‘under strain’ amid COVID-19 overuse

The EU's internet infrastructure is 'under strain' and a series of measures should be implemented by online streaming platforms as a means to mitigate the higher demand for bandwidth amid the current coronavirus quarantine period, the European Commission said on Wednesday evening (18 March).

COVID-19: Austria takes precautionary measures for internet use, despite ‘buffer’ in capacities

The spread of the coronavirus is becoming a stress test for Austria's internet infrastructure, as internet traffic exploded virtually overnight. To protect the country's capacities, the regulatory authority RTR has given the green light for certain online services, like video streaming, to be throttled.

‘New generation of disinformation’ awaits next Commission, says rights group

Disinformation campaigns are becoming increasingly sophisticated and are developing almost unregulated, according to civil rights activists who say the European Commission's relying on the self-regulation of social media platforms is no longer enough.

Germany wants to fine Facebook over hate speech reporting

Social media platforms in Germany are obliged to report hate speech and other illegal content. Germany's Federal Office of Justice is expected to slap a €2 million fine on Facebook for reporting only a fraction of such activity on its platform. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Christchurch Call: EU struggling to get anti-terror measures right

New Zealand and France gathered states and social media organisations around the same table on Wednesday (15 May) to take joint action against terror online. The EU has been negotiating a regulation on preventing the dissemination of terrorist content online for months, but critics find it too restrictive and fear censorship. EURACTIV Germany reports

Copyright rules will turn the EU into a French digital colony

France, with its strict regulations of digital markets and its industries, has been allowed to drive the oppressive changes in copyright that are now about to be European law, writes Amelia Andersdotter, a former MEP for the Swedish Pirate Party.

Thousands protest again law to create autonomous Russian internet

Thousands of people took to the streets of Moscow and two other cities on Sunday (10 March) to rally against tighter internet restrictions, in some of the biggest protests in the Russian capital in years.

European Parliament wants to stop rigged online reviews

MEPs have updated consumer protection rules, bringing greater transparency in how online offers are ranked and, particularly, in reviews left by customers about products. EURACTIV France reports.

Macron targets Russian fake news, moving ahead of Commission plans

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Wednesday (3 January) that a law against fake news is in the making in France. The legislation is clearly aimed at Russian propaganda and should be completed by the end of 2018, government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux added on Thursday.

How the Cold War was replaced with fake news

The Cold War has faded into history but it was replaced by a media war which rages above all on the internet. Fake news play a major role now, argues Herbert Vytiska from EURACTIV Germany.

EU digital official: Cyber threats know no borders

Linda Cogruedo Steneberg, Director at the the European Commission's DG Connect , revealed how the EU executive is trying to extend broadband coverage and democratise the internet, as well as protecting our privacy as hacker attacks become more commonplace. EURACTIV Spain reports.

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.

EU telecoms watchdog: ‘We are independent and we bother powerful people’

Sébastien Soriano spoke to EURACTIV about what Yoda can teach us about EU telecoms law, accusations that he is lobbying to change draft rules, net neutrality and the likely new Digital Commissioner Mariya Gabriel.

After London attack, Facebook says aims to be ‘hostile environment’ for terrorists

Facebook said it wanted to make its social media platform a "hostile environment" for terrorists in a statement issued after attackers killed seven people in London and prompted Prime Minister Theresa May to demand action from internet firms.

Ukraine accuses Russia of attack on president’s website after sanctions decision

Ukraine accused Russia yesterday (16 May) of carrying out an organized cyber-attack on President Petro Poroshenko's website in response to Kyiv's decision to impose sanctions against a number of major Russian internet businesses.

Lisbon dreams of ‘Europe’s Silicon Valley’ tag

Lisbon is betting that hosting the Web Summit, Europe's largest tech event, will spur the growth of startups and draw foreign investors, helping it compete with the continent's main innovation hubs.

Europe in the great new age of communication

Regulation can improve the competitive environment and give consumers a better deal, but the EU’s proposal to enforce “neutrality” on internet platforms does the opposite, argues Diego Zuluaga.

Commission: Russian propaganda has deeply penetrated EU countries

A European Commission official has said that Russian propaganda was now powerful in all EU member states – but in some of them Moscow barely needed to make the effort, as local politicians were delivering its messages.

Brexit could raise online prices for UK shoppers

British consumers could be hit by a devalued Pound, and higher import taxes, if the UK leaves the EU, following the 23 June referendum, according to an international shopping website.

Analogue rules in a digital world hampering progress

Fast growth in digital services is bringing enormous social and economic benefits to customers the world over. But market regulation must be adapted to the 21st century if this sector is to achieve its potential, writes Daniel Pataki. 

INFOGRAPHIC: An increasingly-connected developing world

Despite the fact that costs are still high, internet access and mobile phone use is becoming increasingly widespread, including in developing countries.