Internet Policy in the EU

Latest news and information on the Internet policies of the European Union.

6 hours for tech firms to hand over key evidence under EU security proposal — 18 April 2018, 00:01 CET

Police and judicial authorities would gain easier and faster access to e-evidence such as e-mails or documents under new EU proposals to help them investigate, prosecute and convict criminals and terrorists.

Digital subscriptions portable from 1 April — 28 March 2018, 17:24 CET

From 1 April 2018 onwards, Europeans will be able to access the online content that they have subscribed to at home, wherever they are in the EU, EU institutions made clear in a joint statement Tuesday.

Portability of online content services — 28 March 2018, 13:14 CET

From 1 April 2018 onwards, Europeans will be able to access the online content that they have subscribed to at home, wherever they are in the EU.

New EU rules against geoblocking come into force — 24 March 2018, 00:12 CET

New EU rules against unjustified geoblocking - a discriminatory practice that prevents online customers from buying products from a website based in another member state, entered into force Thursday.

EU targets tech giants with 'fair' digital tax — 21 March 2018, 18:46 CET

New rules to tax tech giants such as Facebook and Amazon in a 'fair and growth-friendly way' would make the EU a global leader in designing tax laws for the digital economy, says the EU Commission.

Tax System for EU Digital Single Market — 21 March 2018, 17:35 CET

The European Commission proposed on 21 March new rules to ensure that digital business activities are taxed in a fair and growth-friendly way in the EU.

Registration opens for free EU wireless hotspots — 21 March 2018, 18:48 CET

The European Commission invited Europe's municipalities Tuesday to register their details for EU financing of free wireless internet hotspots in public spaces, ahead of the first call for projects in mid-May.

WiFi4EU registration open for EU financing of free wireless internet hotspots in public spaces — 20 March 2018, 23:11 CET

The European Commission launched the WiFi4EU web portal on 20 March. It invites municipalities from all over Europe to register their details ahead of the first call for projects in mid-May, for the chance to benefit from EU financing to build free public wireless internet hotspots.

Tax firms where they earn their profits, say MEPs — 15 March 2018, 18:29 CET

The European Parliament approved Thursday a harmonised corporate tax system plan to tax digital firms where they earn their profits and to calculate their tax bills according to their online activities.

EU experts urge code of practice to counter fake news — 13 March 2018, 00:15 CET

A Code of Practices for online platforms and social networks is one of a series of recommendations put forward Monday by a high-level group of experts set up by the EU to counter the spread of disinformation.

EU radio spectrum deal paves way for 5G — 06 March 2018, 22:40 CET

The European Parliament, the EU Council and the Commission have reached a provisional political agreement on several important parts regarding the EU's new telecom rules and radio spectrum policy.

EU gives tech giants one hour deadline to remove terrorist content — 04 March 2018, 12:38 CET

Tech giants Facebook and Google will be given one hour to remove terrorist content from their social media platforms under tighter rules on illegal content online, released Thursday by the EU Commission.

Measures to tackle illegal content online — 01 March 2018, 18:22 CET

As a follow-up to a September 2017 Communication on tackling illegal content online, the European Commission recommended on 1 March a set of operational measures - accompanied by the necessary safeguards - to be taken by companies and EU Member States to further step up this work before it determines whether it will be necessary to propose legislation.

EU removes geo-blocking barriers to e-commerce — 27 February 2018, 18:12 CET

The EU gave the final green light Tuesday to a ban on unjustified geo-blocking, a discriminatory practice that stops online customers buying products from a website based in another member state.

Social media giants not doing enough to protect users: EU — 20 February 2018, 21:03 CET

Social media giants, including Facebook and Twitter, are dragging their feet in responding to requests from the EU Commission and national consumer authorities to comply with EU consumer rules.

MEPs vote to end barriers to cross-border shopping — 06 February 2018, 21:04 CET

The European Parliament ratified an agreement Tuesday to make it easier for consumers to buy from a website based in another EU country, without the obstacle of unjustified geo-blocking practices.

Commission boost for European blockchain effort — 05 February 2018, 22:58 CET

The Commission gave its backing Thursday to efforts to develop blockchain technology, with the launch of an EU Blockchain Observatory for a technology seen as an economy 'gamechanger'.

EU states must be ready for new data protection rules, says Brussels — 25 January 2018, 23:01 CET

With new EU data protection rules set to come into force on 25 May, the European Commission has published guidance to help Member States prepare for the changes and provide support to businesses.

2018 reform of EU data protection rules — 24 January 2018, 17:27 CET

Stronger rules on data protection mean people have more control over their personal data and businesses benefit from a level playing field.

General Data Protection Regulation - background guide — 24 January 2018, 17:35 CET

The data protection reform package which entered into force in May 2016 and will be applicable as of May 2018 includes the General Data Protection Regulation ("Regulation") and the Data Protection Directive for the police and criminal justice sector.

Social media record on removing hate speech improves — 23 January 2018, 13:28 CET

IT companies removed around 70% of illegal hate speech notified to them, according to an evaluation of the EU Code of Conduct on countering illegal online hate speech carried out by NGOs and public bodies.

New initiative seeks to boost Europe's digital skills — 18 January 2018, 00:14 CET

The EU Commission adopted Wednesday new initiatives to improve key and digital competences of European citizens and to promote common values and pupils' awareness of the functioning of the EU.

MEPs demand controls on cyber-surveillance tools — 17 January 2018, 23:47 CET

EU export controls should be extended to cyber-surveillance tools to avoid human rights violations, MEPs said in a vote Wednesday, setting the Parliament's position for negotiations with EU ministers.

Talks set to remove barriers to free flow of data in Europe — 20 December 2017, 23:07 CET

A draft proposal to allow non-personal data to move freely across borders, removing unjustified restrictions on the geographical location for storing and processing data, was agreed Wednesday by EU states.

Online shopping rules aim to end geo-blocking — 23 November 2017, 22:57 CET

New EU rules on online shopping, provisionally agreed by the EU institutions Monday, mean that online buyers of goods or services from another EU country must be treated like local customers.