Internet Policy in the EU

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

MEPs vote to close tax loopholes for online platforms

The European Parliament voted Thursday on measures specifying how large online platforms such as Amazon and Ebay are to contribute to closing existing loopholes that currently hinder the collection of VAT.

Fight against fake online news must be stepped up, EU warns Facebook, Twitter

Signatories to an EU code of practice including Facebook, Google and Twitter have shown patchy progress in the fight against online disinformation, says a new report published Tuesday by the EU.

Report assessing consistency of approaches in the identification of operators of essential services

Under EU Directive 2016/1148 on Security of Network and Information Systems (the "NIS Directive"), identified operators of essential services will have to take appropriate security measures and to notify serious cyber incidents to the relevant national authority. The report published on 28 October 2019 provides an overview of how Member States have identified operators of essential services who have to put in place cyber-security measures and report major cyber-incidents due to their importance for the economy and society.

Multinationals must disclose where they pay taxes, say MEPs

The European Parliament adopted a resolution Thursday urging EU Member States to get moving on long-overdue rules which would oblige multinationals to disclose what taxes they pay in each country.

EU-US privacy shield review finds room for improvement

The U.S. is ensuring adequate protection for personal data transferred under the 'Privacy Shield' from the EU to participating companies in the States, says the EU's third review, but there is room for improvement.

.eu domain name to extend its horizons

13 years after .eu's initial launch, Europeans living outside the European Union will from October 2019 have the right to register for a .eu top-level domain - no matter where in the world they are residing.

EU sets its sights on huge potential of blockchain

Blockchain, the technology behind bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, has the potential to transform the way we exchange a much wider range of assets, according to a new report from the EU's research centre.

EU centre to combat fake news: call for tenders

The European Commission published Monday a call for tenders to create the first core service of a digital platform to help fight disinformation, or fake news, in Europe.

EU Court forces global deletion of defamatory comment on Facebook

Facebook can be ordered to seek and remove, among shared user content, defamatory content which is identical to content already characterised as illegal, the EU Court of Justice ruled on Thursday.

Internet cookies 'consent or be tracked' is not an option: EU Court

Internet 'cookies' can only be set if users have given consent that is valid under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and a pre-ticked checkbox is insufficient, the EU's top Court ruled on Tuesday.

One hour for Internet firms to remove terrorist content

Internet companies would be forced to remove content promoting terrorism within an hour of being informed, under new EU rules adopted by an EU Parliament committee on Wednesday.

Google 'right to be forgotten' applies only in EU: EU Court

Google's 'right to be forgotten', defined as "the right to silence on past events in life that are no longer occurring", only applies in EU Member States, the EU's top Court ruled on Tuesday.

New EU call for local authorities to apply for free Wi-Fi in public spaces

The EU Commission launched Thursday a new call for applications for vouchers to set up free Wi-Fi networks in public spaces, including town halls, public libraries, museums, public parks or squares.

German law restricting Google news not admissible: EU Court

A German provision stopping Google search from using newspaper snippets without publisher authorisation must be disregarded as it was not notified to the Commission, the EU Court ruled Thursday.

Websites using Facebook 'Like' button are data liable

A website displaying Facebook's 'Like' button, which processes users' personal data, becomes jointly liable for collection and transmission of the data to Facebook, the EU's top Court ruled Monday.

GDPR working, but not well enough: EU report

While most EU Member States have set up the legal framework for the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), more is needed if the new data protection regime is to be fully effective, says a new report.

Chipmaker Qualcomm fined EUR 242m for 'predatory pricing'

The EU Commission fined US tech giant Qualcomm EUR 242 million Thursday, for abusing its market dominance in 3G baseband chipsets, sold below cost with the aim of forcing its competitor Icera out of the market.

E-commerce still vulnerable to VAT and customs duty evasion: EU auditors

Many challenges in collecting correct amounts of VAT and customs duties on e-commerce remain to be resolved, according to a report from the European Court of Auditors published on Tuesday.

European Cybersecurity Act

The EU Cybersecurity Act revamps and strengthens the EU Agency for cybersecurity (ENISA) and establishes an EU-wide cybersecurity certification framework for digital products, services and processes.

EU Cybersecurity

The European Cybersecurity Act, agreed by EU negotiators in December 2018, entered into force on 27 June 2019. The new rules equip Europe with a framework of cybersecurity certification of products, processes and services and reinforce the mandate of the EU Agency for Cybersecurity.

New EU cybersecurity certification rules in force

The EU's Cybersecurity Act, agreed by negotiators in December 2018, entered into force Thursday, providing Europe with a framework of cybersecurity certification of products, processes and services.

The changing faces of epayments

69 per cent of all internet users in the European Union regularly shopped online last year, with the average user purchasing a service or product 6 times per month.

EU cites Russian interference in European elections

The EU Commission said Friday it had found evidence of coordinated behaviour to spread disinformation in the run-up to the recent European elections, particularly from Russian sources.

Social media needs to do more against fake accounts, says EU

The EU Commission welcomed Tuesday the commitment of Facebook, Google and Twitter to act against disinformation but said more needs to be done ahead of European elections due to take place next month.

Copyright rules 'for digital age' clear final EU hurdle

The EU gave the green light Monday to rules adapting copyright law to a 'digital single market', protecting authors and artists, with new possibilities for accessing and sharing copyright-protected content online.