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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Internet takes Himalayan village from potato age to modernity

When a landslide created a huge, turquoise lake that cut them off the world, the farmers of Gulmit were left destitute and unable to sell their potatoes. Their solution: to drag their Himalayan valley in Pakistan's far north into the Internet age.

Germany’s digital security disparity ‘remains striking’

Germany shows significant discrepancies among private users with regard to protection against cyber attacks, a recent study shows, with internet users growing increasingly uneasy despite an improved security situation. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Telecoms increase pressure on Brussels

Orange, Deutsche Telekom and Telefonica have launched a new demand for reform in the EU telecommunications sector. They want new regulations to be extended to the Internet providers that piggyback on their services. EURACTIV France and La Tribune report.

Austrian activist spearheads class action suit against Facebook

An Austrian law graduate spearheading a class action suit against Facebook for alleged privacy breaches said ahead of the first hearing today (9 April) he hopes the case will eventually lead to an overhaul of a "Wild West" approach to data protection.

Oettinger: IT sector needs new ‘generation of Shakespeares’

A meeting in Berlin between representatives from European startups and EU decision-makers stirred ignited debate over EU digital policies, with Digital Commissioner Günther Oettinger speaking in support of net neutrality and tech-startups, while Commission Vice President Andrus Ansip called for other forms of IT promotion. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Oettinger playing ‘catch-up’ on EU digital infrastructure

During a visit to Berlin, Digital Commissioner Günther Oettinger called for increased investment in Europe’s digital infrastructure, explaining that the economy alone will not be able to close the significant investment gap. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Hungarians protest Internet tax

Thousands of Hungarians protested in Budapest yesterday (26 October) against a planned new tax on Internet data transfers, which they said would not only increase the tax burden, but would also curb fundamental democratic rights and freedoms.

German digital agenda is ‘better late than never’

On Wednesday (20 August) the German government passed its first "Digital Agenda 2014-2017" bill, aimed at helping Germany become a worldwide leader in expanding high-speed data lines, internet security and fostering cyber-related entrepreneurship. EURACTIV Germany reports.

EU Court upholds blocking copyright-infringing websites

Internet access providers can be requested to block websites infringing copyright, the European Court of Justice said yesterday (27 March) in a historic ruling aimed at limiting online piracy.