Internet Policy in the EU

Latest news on the Internet policies of the European Union.

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Kaspersky finds 'Red October' virus targeting Eastern Europe — 14 January 2013, 23:16 CET

Kaspersky Lab says it has identified a new computer virus it dubbed "Red October" targeting eastern European countries that appeared to be collecting classified files using NATO and EU encryption.

EU, US agree to share cybercrime data as new unit opens — 13 January 2013, 23:28 CET

The European Union and the US agreed Friday to share more data on cross-border cybercriminals at the opening of a new hi-tech unit aimed at helping police catch up with increasingly imaginative criminals.

EU to force Google to change listing of search results: report — 10 January 2013, 22:06 CET

Google will have to change the way it presents search results or face anti-trust charges for favouring its own services, the EU's competition chief told the Financial Times.

EU unveils cybercrime unit in bid to turn criminal tide — 09 January 2013, 18:42 CET

In a bid to seize the initiative from increasingly sophisticated online criminals, the European Union unveiled a new cybercrime centre on Wednesday.

US Google ruling has no impact on EU probe — 04 January 2013, 20:13 CET

The decision by US authorities to close down an 18-month anti-trust investigation into Internet giant Google has no bearing on what the EU will do with its own probe, the European Commission said Friday.

Relief for Google as US ends monopoly probe — 03 January 2013, 22:43 CET

US regulators have closed a lengthy antitrust probe into Google, saying there is not enough evidence to show the Internet giant manipulated its search results to harm its competitors.

Microsoft slams Google on 'proper' YouTube app — 03 January 2013, 13:31 CET

Microsoft has stepped up its criticism of Google on antitrust grounds, claiming the Internet giant refuses to allow Windows Phone users "proper access" to the YouTube video service.

EU decision on Microsoft probe close — 20 December 2012, 17:50 CET

The European Commission says it is close to a decision in its investigation of US giant Microsoft and its failure to provide clients with a choice of Web browser, as it had promised to do.

Digital Agenda Review - new digital priorities for 2013-2014 — 19 December 2012, 00:20 CET

The European Commission has adopted seven new priorities for the digital economy and society. The digital economy is growing at seven times the rate of the rest of the economy, but the Commission says this potential is currently held back by a patchy pan-European policy framework. Today's priorities follow a comprehensive policy review and place new emphasis on the most transformative elements of the original 2010 Digital Agenda for Europe.

EU, Google to seek anti-trust accord — 18 December 2012, 23:57 CET

The European Union will seek an accord with US Internet search giant Google as progress has been made in resolving EU anti-trust concerns, Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said Tuesday.

Online news least read in France -- Estonia, Lithuania lead — 19 December 2012, 00:02 CET

Only about one in three internet users in France went online to catch the news or read their favourite newspapers in the last three months, the lowest in any EU nation, European Union data showed Tuesday.

US eyes Google antitrust settlement: reports — 17 December 2012, 18:12 CET

US regulators are likely to conclude a lengthy antitrust probe of Google's dominance of Internet searches with a voluntary settlement, news reports said on Monday.

Sweep on online games, books, videos and music — 06 December 2012, 17:54 CET

The European Commission has today published the results of an EU wide screening of websites selling games, books, videos and music which can be downloaded to a computer or mobile device. The check shows that over 75% of these websites do not appear to comply with consumer protection rules. This is particularly concerning where vulnerable consumers, such as children, are targeted. Users have to click their way through a maze of contract terms, to find out how much they will eventually have to pay and children are frequently lured into purchasing items related to supposedly free games. In case of a problem, reaching the after-sales service is often difficult as contact information is missing in more than one third of the websites. National enforcement authorities will now contact the companies concerned to enable them to clarify their position or correct their website.

EU, US in 'global alliance' to hit web child sex — 05 December 2012, 18:55 CET

The European Union, the United States and a score of other countries have launched a "global alliance" to stamp out trade in online images and videos of child sexual abuse.

Making government websites accessible for all — 04 December 2012, 14:29 CET

Over 100 million EU citizens would find it easier to use online public services to look for a job, register a car, submit a tax declaration and apply for a passport or driving license thanks to new rules proposed by the European Commission on 4 December, the International Day of People with Disability.

Global Alliance against child sexual abuse online — 04 December 2012, 14:11 CET

The Global Alliance against child sexual abuse online is a joint initiative primarily from the EU and the US reaching out to third countries. The Global Alliance builds upon the successful work of the EU-US Working Group on cyber-security and cyber-crime, where the fight against child online abuse has been identified as a key priority. The Alliance was endorsed by EU Member States in the Council conclusions on 7 June 2012, and by the US in the EU-US Joint Statement on 21 June 2012.

WikiLeaks's Assange urges EU to lift bank blockade — 27 November 2012, 19:08 CET

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange pleaded with the European Union on Tuesday to help lift a crippling two-year banking blockade blamed by the whistle-blowing website on rightwing US politicians.

US-EU counterfeit crackdown seizes 132 websites — 26 November 2012, 22:51 CET

US and European authorities said Monday they seized 132 websites in a transatlantic law enforcement crackdown on online sellers of counterfeit merchandise.

EU cloud computing board begins work — 20 November 2012, 13:45 CET

The Steering Board of the new European Cloud Partnership (ECP) met for the first time in Brussels on 19 November, kicking-off a process where public authorities and industry work together to help building the EU Digital Single Market for cloud computing pursuant to the European Cloud Computing Strategy. Specifically, the ECP aims at leveraging the public sector's buying power to shape the growing and maturing market for cloud computing services. Chaired by Toomas Hendrik Ilves, President of Estonia, the board brings together tech Chief Executive Officers and government representatives with responsibility for IT procurement. The board will deliver strategic advice to Commission Vice President Neelie Kroes.

European Cloud Computing Strategy — 20 November 2012, 13:19 CET

In September 2012, the European Commission adopted a strategy for "Unleashing the Potential of Cloud Computing in Europe". The strategy outlines actions to deliver a net gain of 2.5 million new European jobs, and an annual boost of EUR 160 billion to EU GDP (around 1%), by 2020. The strategy is designed to speed up and increase the use of cloud computing across the economy. This strategy was the result of an analysis of the overall policy, regulatory and technology landscapes and of a wide consultation of stakeholders, undertaken to identify what needs to be done to make the most of the potential that the cloud has to offer us. This document sets out the most important and urgent additional actions. It represents a political commitment of the Commission and serves as a call on all stakeholders to participate in the implementation of these actions.

France makes billion euro tax claim against Google: report — 31 October 2012, 11:18 CET

French tax authorities have made a billion-euro claim against Google to pressure it in a dispute over compensation to media websites, a French newspaper reported, a claim the Internet giant denies.

Statement of Objections to Microsoft on non-compliance with browser choice commitments — 24 October 2012, 13:21 CET

The European Commission has informed Microsoft of its preliminary view that Microsoft has failed to comply with its commitments to offer users a choice screen enabling them to easily choose their preferred web browser. In 2009, the Commission had made these commitments legally binding on Microsoft. The sending of a statement of objections does not prejudge the final outcome of the investigation.

EU warns Microsoft over new Windows 8 — 24 October 2012, 18:24 CET

The European Commission warned Microsoft on Wednesday that it risked an investigation into its new Windows 8 software if the company did not meet commitments on web browser choice.

Online gambling in the Internal Market — 23 October 2012, 17:38 CET

The European Commission today unveiled an action plan, with a series of initiatives over the next two years aimed at clarifying the regulation of online gambling and encouraging cooperation between EU Member States. Online gambling is one of the fastest growing service activities in the EU, with annual growth rates of almost 15% and an estimated EUR 13 billion in annual revenues in 2015.

EU tightens up online gambling controls — 23 October 2012, 18:34 CET

The Commission has outlined measures to tighten controls on online gambling, a fast-growing, multi-billion-euro industry, to combat fraud, money laundering and rigging of sport fixtures.