Internet Policy in the EU

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

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.

Brussels seeks common approach to 5G security threats

The EU Commission recommended a common EU approach to 5G security Tuesday, setting out measures to ensure 5G infrastructures are resilient and secure from technical or legal 'backdoors'.

EU approach to security of 5G networks

The European Commission recommended on 26 March a set of operational steps and measures to ensure a high level of cybersecurity of 5G networks across the EU.

Euro-MPs pass controversial Internet copyright law

The EU Parliament approved new Internet copyright rules Tuesday, giving Internet platforms liability content users upload, and journalists a share of copyright-related revenue obtained by their news publisher.

Copyright rules for the Internet

The European Parliament voted in favour of a new Copyright Directive on 26 March, which is designed to bring tangible benefits to citizens, all creative sectors, the press, researchers, educators, and cultural heritage institutions.

Russian disinformation main source of fake news in Europe, say MEPs

Russia's disinformation campaigns are the main source of fake news in Europe, along with China, Iran and North Korea, MEPs said Thursday, calling on the EU to fight back against hostile propaganda.

Agreement paves way for better VAT collection on online sales

EU Member States reached agreement Tuesday on detailed measures needed to simplify VAT rules for sales of goods online, also ensuring that online marketplaces play their part in the fight against tax fraud.

Modernising VAT for cross-border e-commerce

European Commission DG TAXUD page on VAT for e-commerce including legal texts

MEPs call for tougher cyber-security to counter Chinese 5G threat

The EU Parliament called Tuesday for action at EU level on the security threats linked to China’s growing technological presence in the EU, as it adopted a new Cybersecurity certification scheme for products, processes and services.

Facebook not keeping to commitments on disinformation, says EU

Social media platform Facebook is not keeping to commitments it made on disinformation with regard to scrutiny of ad placements, the EU Commission said as it published progress reports from Facebook, Google and Twitter Thursday.

Amazon not obliged to provide phone no for consumers: EU Court Opinion

Amazon and other e-commerce platforms are not obliged to make a telephone number available for consumers on their web pages, the EU top Court's Advocate General stated in an Opinion on Thursday.

Fairness of online platforms' trading practices

On 13 February, the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission reached a political deal on the first-ever rules aimed at creating a fair, transparent and predictable business environment for businesses and traders when using online platforms.

New EU Copyright Directive

The European Parliament, EU Council and the Commission found a political agreement on 13 February to make the copyright rules 'fit for digital era' in Europe and bring benefits to all creative sectors, the press, researchers, educators, cultural heritage institutions, and citizens.

EU reaches deal on digital copyright reform

Creatives and news publishers will be empowered to negotiate with internet giants thanks to a deal reached late Wednesday on copyright rules which also contains safeguards on freedom of expression.

Game-making for profit - Freemium, FIFA and Slot Machine Success

Gaming is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. Figures indicate that in 2017, interactive entertainment - including games and its encompassing media - generated over $100bn around the world in revenue. As of June 2018, there were reportedly 2,261 active gaming companies in the UK, with approximately 32.4 million consumers purchasing and playing games.

New plans for accessing health data across EU borders

The Commission presented a set of recommendations Wednesday for the creation of a secure system that will enable citizens to access their electronic health files across EU Member States.

Code of Conduct on countering illegal hate speech online - fourth evaluation

The fourth evaluation on the EU Code of Conduct shows that this Commission initiative delivers successful results. IT companies are now assessing 89% of flagged content within 24 hours and 72% of the content deemed to be illegal hate speech is removed, compared to 40% and 28% respectively when the Code was first launched in 2016.

Brussels welcomes speedier Facebook, Twitter responses to hate speech

89 per cent of flagged content is removed by tech giants Facebook, Microsoft and Twitter within 24 hours and 72% of the content deemed to be illegal hate speech is removed, the EU reported on Monday.

Code of Practice against disinformation

The European Commission published on 29 January the first reports submitted by signatories of the Code of Practice against disinformation signed in October 2018.

EU urges tech giants to step up fight against fake news

The EU Commission called on tech giants including Google, Facebook and Twitter Tuesday to intensify their efforts to crack down on disinformation in the run up to the 2019 European elections.

EU states agree better protection for whistleblowers

The EU is moving towards guaranteeing a high level protection to whistleblowers across a wide range of sectors, following agreement Friday by EU states' ambassadors.

EU-Japan data sharing agreement comes into effect

The EU Commission adopted Wednesday an 'adequacy decision' which allows personal data to flow freely between the European Union and Japan on the basis of strong protection guarantees.

Google 'right to be forgotten' applies only in EU, suggests EU Court

Google and other search engine operators need to guarantee the 'right to be forgotten' to users inside the European Union but not to users globally, the EU's Advocate General said in an Opinion Thursday.