About: regulation
While internet value chain grows, telecom operators lag behind
While internet value chains continue to grow by 15% per year, a new report by GSMA warns that market imbalances between network operators and online service providers could threaten global growth prospects in several sectors.
Facebook fears regulators’ competing demands for privacy, transparency
Facebook is in favour of more regulation but is concerned that platforms could be forced in "diametrically opposed directions" in terms of privacy and transparency requirements, Nick Clegg, the platform's vice president for global affairs, has said. EURACTIV France reports.
Commission study calls for ‘sanctions’ for online disinformation
A European Commission study on the effectiveness of the EU's code of practice against disinformation has criticised the self-regulatory nature of the framework, suggesting that "sanctions and redress mechanisms" should be put into place in order to ensure compliance with the rules.
Regulation against fake news ‘very important,’ Reynders says
The European Parliament and Council should work with the Commission to consider how best to implement a potential legal clampdown on fake news online, the EU's Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders has said.
Facebook renews calls for EU regulation in ‘fight for the soul of the internet’
An ideological 'fight' is tacking place worldwide between those who want to restrict open access to the internet and those who want to maintain a free and open web within necessary regulatory frameworks, Facebook's VP for Global Affairs, Nick Clegg, has said.
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.
AI is ‘biggest change for society since printing revolution’, top expert says
Artificial Intelligence has taken huge strides in the last decade. It can now recognise faces, coordinate self-driving cars or even compose music. W. Brian Arthur talked to EURACTIV Germany about why AI is "an enormous change for our society" and why it is important to regulate it carefully.
‘Adverse impacts’ of Artificial Intelligence could pave way for regulation, EU report says
The EU should consider the need for new regulation to "ensure adequate protection from adverse impacts" in the field of Artificial Intelligence, a report published on Wednesday (26 June) by the Commission's High-Level Group on AI says.
Clegg: Facebook to set up its own ‘court’ for content moderation
Facebook has plans to establish an independent oversight board "analogous to a court," that will have the power to make decisions on what content should be removed from the platform, the company's Head of Global Policy, Nick Clegg, announced on Monday (24 April).
Soft drink makers back product reformulation as ‘healthier’ than taxation
Governments can steer consumers towards healthier choices by supporting the reformulation of food ingredients, rather than imposing "discriminatory" taxes, according to the soft drinks industry.
Regulating consumers?
Over the years, sales and marketing restrictions have piled up on food, drinks and alcohol products. Some are now beginning to worry about a “slippery slope” where tobacco-style regulations – and taxation – are being applied to a whole range of consumer products in the name of public health objectives.
The slippery slope of consumer goods regulation
Over the past few years, a series of restrictions on fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) have been imposed across the world, including in several European countries.
Regulating consumers, ensuring public health?
Soft drinks, food, tobacco, alcohol and e-cigarettes are among the most regulated consumer products in Europe.
TTIP: Chevron lobbied for controversial legal right as ‘environmental deterrent’
Chevron lobbied the EU to give foreign investors the legal right to challenge government decisions in a major US-EU trade deal because it would act as a deterrent against laws such as fracking bans, the Guardian can reveal.
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.
Germany’s Schäuble wants to rebalance EU Commission’s role
Germany's finance minister wants to correct the balance between the European Commission's political role and its regulatory powers, reflecting concern in Berlin over the EU executive's neutrality as its political clout grows.
Commission fleshes out energy strategy for Southeast Europe
As energy ministers of eight countries from Southeast Europe meet in Sofia today (9 February) to discuss the countries’ needs and ambitions, a leaked paper has shed light on the European Commission’s plans to help the region overcome its various problems.
EU seeks to break barriers for qualified professionals
The European Commission yesterday (2 October) kicked off an evaluation of national regulations on access to qualified professions in an attempt to smooth out divisions between member states over the controversial issue.Introduce precautionary principle for financial products, or they will fail us
Europe is in the process of re-formulating financial regulations and creating a new banking union, but new rules will give rise to new financial products, writes Suleika Reiners, and these may wriggle around the new rules. Financial innovations need to be tested and put to the precautionary principle no less than other aspects of society, she argues, and suggests that a new body could be set up to carry this out. VideoPromoted content
Youth and Policy: A Healthy Mix?
A stakeholder workshop organized by Fondation EURACTIV to explore issues surrounding the protection of young people in the policy debate. Participants were asked to contribute to a range of ideas designed not to answer all the questions relating to youth and health policies, but to provide a blueprint for how such issues can be addressed in the future. Such issues include: Can an age be defined when a young person is no longer "vulnerable"? What is the best long-term approach: regulation and protection or education and empowerment?High offshore safety standards in North Sea must not be risked
The European Commission’s intention to improve safety in offshore oil and gas across Europe by using the UK’s best practices should be welcomed. However, the form of legislation proposed would have the opposite effect and undo decades of established regulatory experience - putting the safety of workers at risk, writes Malcolm Webb, chief executive of Oil & Gas UK.Building a single e-commerce market
The regulatory framework in Europe is still a barrier for growth for e-commerce, says Marc Lolivier.
Internet guru warns users to play safe
Cyber security, intellectual property piracy and regulatory reach from the telecommunications industry are all putting the free online space under threat, Vinton Cerf, one of the inventors in the epoch-changing technology, told EURACTIV, underscoring that there is a danger of killing off the innovation that underpins it.