Internet Policy in the EU

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

EU launches EUR 1 billion call for green and digital transition

The European Commission launched Thursday a EUR 1 billion call for research and innovation projects that respond to the climate crisis and help protect Europe's unique ecosystems and biodiversity.

Brussels mulls regulatory action against fake news

Online platforms need to show more accountability, responsibility and transparency, the EU Commission said Thursday, as it presented its assessment of the effectiveness of the EU Code of Practice on Disinformation.

Google's proposed Fitbit buy under full EU investigation

The EU Commission opened Tuesday an in-depth investigation to assess the proposed acquisition of Fitbit by Google over the amount of data Google could use for personalisation of the ads it serves.

EU-US Data Protection Shield inadequate, EU Court rules

The Court of Justice of the EU decided Thursday to invalidate the EU-US Privacy Shield on grounds of an inadequate levels of protection given to European consumer data transferred to the United States.

Women4Cyber Registry

Women4Cyber Registry was created to identify and build the community of women professionals in the field of cybersecurity. It gathers women, with different profiles and could be a reference point for expert groups, event organisers, media, as well as collaboration and potentially business opportunities. The aim of this Registry is to encourage women professionals to come forward, become more active in the field and raise their own visibility as well as promote the Women4Cyber initiatives.

GDPR 2-year review: progress across EU, but more needed

Two years on, the General Data Protection Regulation has met most of its objectives, with a set of enforceable rights and a new European system of governance and enforcement, says a report out Wednesday.

EU data protection rules 2-year review

Two years after its entry into application, the European Commission published on 24 June an evaluation report on the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Social media platforms improve action against hate speech

Social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter have improved action on countering illegal hate speech online, says a Commission report, but better transparency and user feedback is still needed.

EU asks online platforms to report on fake coronavirus news

The EU stepped up its campaign against online disinformation Wednesday, asking online platforms for monthly reports on action to promote authoritative content and limit fake information on the coronavirus.

MEPs demand data protection guarantees for fingerprint exchange with UK

The EU Council should not allow fingerprint data exchange between the UK and EU countries without guarantees on reciprocity and data protection in place, the European Parliament said on Thursday.

Netflix, Youtube slow streaming networks to help fight Coronavirus

Netflix and YouTube have agreed to a European request to reduce pressure on the Internet caused by increased demand from social distancing measures in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic.

Is EU's fight against fake news bearing fruit?

EU efforts to fight the spread of verifiably false or misleading information for the purposes of economic gain or intentionally deceiving the public are to be evaluated by the EU's auditors.

EU outlines its vision for secure data and Artificial Intelligence

The EU Commission presented Wednesday a European data strategy and policy options for a secure human-centric development of Artificial Intelligence opening up new opportunities for businesses.

The shape of Europe's digital future

The European Commission unveiled on 19 February its strategy for a society powered by digital solutions that put people first, opens up new opportunities for businesses, and boosts the development of trustworthy technology to foster an open and democratic society and a vibrant and sustainable economy.

Green light for talks on EU-Japan Passenger Name Record agreement

The EU Council gave a green light Tuesday for the start of negotiations with Japan on an agreement to enable the transfer of Passenger Name Record data from the European Union to Japan.

EU launches 'toolbox' to build secure 5G in Europe

The European Commission endorsed a joint 5G 'toolbox' Wednesday, a concerted EU approach to addressing security risks related to the building and protection of a European infrastructure for fifth-generation of mobile networks.

Cybersecurity of 5G networks - EU Toolbox of risk mitigating measures

The objectives of this toolbox are to identify a possible common set of measures which are able to mitigate the main cybersecurity risks of 5G networks, and to provide guidance for the selection of measures which should be prioritised in mitigation plans at national and at Union level. It does this in order to create a robust framework of measures with a view to ensure an adequate level of cybersecurity of 5G networks across the EU and coordinated approaches among Member States.

Secure 5G networks: EU toolbox - background guide

The Commission endorsed on 29 January the joint toolbox of mitigating measures agreed by EU Member States to address security risks related to the rollout of 5G, the fifth-generation of mobile networks.

EU toughens consumer protection for the digital world

New EU rules for consumer protection entered into force on Tuesday, with the aim of toughening up and modernising current EU consumer protection rules, in line with digital developments.

Booking.com commits to EU demands for transparency

Following dialogue with the European Commission and national consumer authorities, Booking.com has committed to make changes in the way it presents offers, discounts and prices to consumers.

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.