About: Microsoft
France to levy tax on digital giants before Biden administration takes office
France confirmed on Wednesday it will levy its tax on digital giants for 2020, following a warning by Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire in October that it would do so. With this decision, however, it risks US countermeasures at a time when it is scrambling for public money amid a devastating pandemic. EURACTIV's partner Ouest-France reports.
Breton reveals details on gatekeeper criteria in Digital Markets Act
The EU's Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton has disclosed details on the forthcoming criteria for the definition of so-called 'gatekeeper platforms' as part of the hotly-anticipated Digital Markets Act, set to be proposed by the EU executive in early December.
The transatlantic bond: How can a close German-U.S. relationship play a pioneering role for the Euro
The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic has forced the EU to radically revise its strategy – both internally and in the global arena. Similarly, Germany’s priorities for its EU Council Presidency have also changed. Although the main priority is overcoming...
Digital Services Act should avoid rules on ‘harmful’ content, Big Tech tells EU
New EU measures regulating the web should avoid, in the first instance, rules on the hosting of online content deemed "harmful" but not "illegal", a Brussels trade association representing the world's largest online platforms has said.
Facebook, Microsoft gripes with Apple’s App Store on EU’s antitrust radar
Facebook and Microsoft's grievances over how their gaming apps appear on Apple's App Store may feed into an EU investigation into the iPhone maker's business as EU antitrust regulators said such concerns are on their radar.
Big tech could do better at protecting the environment
Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft, known as 'GAFAM' in France, say they are protecting the environment, but that's not the point. Partly responsible for the carbon impact of digital technology, these multinationals are mainly trying to minimise damage. EURACTIV's partner La Tribune reports.
EU Rapid Alert System used amid coronavirus disinformation campaign
An EU instrument designed to monitor serious cases of disinformation has been triggered following a series of online campaigns surrounding the deadly coronavirus outbreak, the European Commission has confirmed.
Microsoft ‘in discussions’ with Germans on Gaia-X participation
Microsoft has revealed it has been holding talks with the German Economy Ministry over whether the company could be contracted as a supplier for Gaia-X, the ambitious European cloud network infrastructure initiative.
EU data watchdog raises concerns over Microsoft contracts
Microsoft’s contracts with European Union institutions do not fully protect data in line with EU law, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) said in initial findings published on Monday (21 October).
Amazon, Microsoft, ‘putting world at risk of killer AI’, Dutch NGO warns
Amazon, Microsoft and Intel are among leading tech companies putting the world at risk through killer robot development, according to a report that surveyed major players from the sector about their stance on lethal autonomous weapons.
Europeans still anxious about AI facial recognition
Technology experts are usually among the first to embrace new and emerging digital tools. But that idea was put to the test at a stakeholders' gathering about artificial-intelligence–enabled facial recognition this week at the Microsoft Center in Brussels.
Digital Brief: Far-right falsities
It’s election time. With the Brits and the Dutch heading to the polls today, the big news of the week is the story that Facebook has removed around 80 pages spreading fake news or using tactics aimed at unfairly influencing the polls.
What role can cyber norms play in improving accountability in cyberspace?
In the digital world, the evidence of cyberattacks is often spread across technology providers, telecom operators, and victims. Furthermore, if it is a government behind the cyberattack then the challenge of proving their responsibility becomes all the more complex.
The security of European citizens: What role for e-evidence?
Nowadays, the success of criminal investigations is increasingly reliant on the ability of law enforcement to obtain electronic evidence. This shift to the digital space is posing complex challenges due to the international character and lack of borders in the digital world.
EU antitrust ruling on Microsoft buy of GitHub due by 19 October
EU antitrust regulators will decide by 19 October whether to clear US software giant Microsoft’s $7.5 billion acquisition of privately held coding website GitHub.
EU proposes ‘revolutionary’ fast-track system for police data access
A new EU proposal will force tech companies to share their users’ personal data with law enforcement authorities from different member states upon request.
Leaked EU overhaul gives tech companies 10 days to share ‘e-evidence’ data with police
EXCLUSIVE / Messaging apps and other digital services will be forced to give their users’ data to law enforcement authorities within ten days of receiving requests, or six hours in emergencies, according to a leaked draft of an upcoming EU legal overhaul.
Not yet in effect, Europe’s new data protection rules already face overseas threats
This week, the United States government will be faced with the choice of whether or not it will violate European data protection laws. In order to ensure the protection of personal data at home, European policymakers must shape rules and practices abroad, writes Christine Galvagna.
Commission backs away from regulating online platforms over hate speech
The European Commission is backing away from a plan to propose binding EU legislation that would force online platforms to remove posts containing hate speech.
Gabriel leading Commission effort against fake news ‘disease’
Fake news is a disease that European society needs to be “vaccinated” against, the EU's Digital Commissioner Mariya Gabriel said as she opened a call for public comments on possible EU responses to the spread of false information on internet platforms.
Commission wants to extend law for police data access to the US
The European Commission hopes to set an international standard with its upcoming proposal to give police easier access to data from tech companies, and has already asked the United States to cooperate.
EU-US Privacy Shield pact to pass first annual review
A year-old pact underpinning billions of dollars of transatlantic data transfers will get the green light from the European Union today (18 October) after the first review to ensure Washington protects Europeans’ data stored on US servers.
Member states and tech firms wary of EU ‘data flows’ plan
Tech companies want the European Commission to propose new legislation in autumn that they hope will bring down data storage costs in some countries. But rumoured changes have worried firms that France could pressure the executive to weaken the rules.