Internet Policy in the EU

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

Public websites to be accessible to all — 27 October 2016, 12:25 CET

The websites of hospitals, courts and other public sector bodies will have to be made accessible to disabled and elderly people, under new EU-wide rules approved by the European Parliament on Wednesday.

Websites can store IP Addresses, rules EU Court — 20 October 2016, 18:41 CET

A website operator can store certain personal data relating to visitors of the site if it helps to identify the visitor and also to protect itself against cyber attacks, the EU's top court ruled on Thursday.

EU to extend digital partnership to eastern neighbours — 19 October 2016, 00:26 CET

The EU Commission hosted a ministerial meeting with Eastern Partnership countries Tuesday with a view to extending the Digital Single Market to its east European neighbours.

Only original software can be resold, rules top EU court — 13 October 2016, 15:13 CET

The owner of a computer program with an unlimited user licence is entitled to resell the original, the EU's top court ruled on Wednesday, but not a back-up copy if the original is not available.

EU looks to tighten controls on exports of dual-use items — 29 September 2016, 19:24 CET

The EU Commission set out a proposal Wednesday to strengthen controls on exports of goods and technologies that could be misused for terrorist acts or the development of weapons of mass destruction.

Digital Skills — 22 September 2016, 23:49 CET

The European Commission has set out steps to improve digital skills in Europe, which are the cornerstone of a truly functioning digital society and Digital Single Market. These steps were outlined in the New Skills Agenda for Europe: working together for human capital, employability and competitiveness, adopted recently by the European Commission.

eGovernment plan to transform public administration in the EU — 22 September 2016, 22:30 CET

With the wider public often losing out to the private sector on the digital innovation front, EU Member States have agreed new, open and inclusive standards for eGovernment throughout the EU.

EU e-commerce sector inquiry - initial findings — 15 September 2016, 23:21 CET

The European Commission has published the preliminary report on its e-commerce sector inquiry, identifying business practices that might restrict competition and limit consumer choice.

Internet connectivity action plan — 14 September 2016, 18:55 CET

The Commission has proposed an overhaul of EU telecoms rules with new initiatives to meet Europeans' growing connectivity needs and boost Europe's competitiveness. The proposals are designed to encourage investment in very high-capacity networks and accelerate public access to Wi-Fi for Europeans.

EU - U.S. Privacy Shield goes operational — 04 August 2016, 23:41 CET

From 1 August, companies can sign up to the Privacy Shield with the U.S. Department of Commerce who can verify their privacy policies comply with data protection standards required by the EU-U.S. agreement signed 12 July.

Google's ad practices come under renewed EU fire — 18 July 2016, 12:37 CET

Google's comparison shopping and ads-related practices breach EU rules, the Commission said Thursday as it sent two statements of objections to the American Internet search giant.

EU-US data transfer accord enters into force — 13 July 2016, 00:31 CET

The European Union approved Tuesday the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield, a special arrangement that replaces the former 'Safe Harbor' agreement to allow transfer of personal data from the EU to the United States.

Directive on Security of Network and Information Systems — 07 July 2016, 16:51 CET

The European Parliament adopted on 6 July the Directive on Security of Network and Information Systems.

EU cybersecurity deal could trigger EUR 1.8bn investment — 05 July 2016, 19:34 CET

An EU deal to strengthen Europe's cybersecurity sector and provide stronger protection against cyber-attacks could trigger investment of EUR 1.8 billion by 2020, the Commission said on Tuesday.

EU Data Protection Regulation: Where do businesses need to take action now? — 01 July 2016, 00:20 CET

After a protracted negotiation and design phase, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was adopted by the European Parliament on 04/14/2016 and entered into force on 05/24/2016. After 20 years, data protection law is at a whole new level and particularly uniform for the European Union.

Brussels gives support for 'sharing economy' — 02 June 2016, 18:33 CET

Support for the so-called 'sharing economy' was given by the Commission Thursday with guidelines on online platforms which offer services such as sharing houses and car journeys.

EU, US sign shared law enforcement data deal — 05 June 2016, 15:48 CET

The EU signed an 'umbrella' deal on protection of shared data with the United States Thursday, putting in place a comprehensive data protection framework for criminal law enforcement cooperation.

Tech giants sign up to EU code against online hate — 01 June 2016, 12:36 CET

Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Microsoft signed up Tuesday to an EU code of conduct that includes a series of commitments to combat the spread of illegal hate speech online in Europe.

UK broadband scheme complies with EU state aid rules — 26 May 2016, 18:13 CET

The UK's National Broadband Scheme for 2016-2020, which aims to connect homes and businesses throughout the UK to high speed broadband. complies with EU state aid rules, the EU said Thursday.

EU-US 'Privacy Shield' data deal needs improvement, say MEPs — 26 May 2016, 17:55 CET

The European Parliament urged the EU Commission Thursday to go on negotiating with the United States over the proposed 'Privacy Shield' protection for EU citizens’ data transferred to the US for commercial purposes.

EU targets geo-blocking to boost e-commerce — 25 May 2016, 17:25 CET

Retailers will no longer be able to refuse to sell goods and services to people living in other EU countries under a three-pronged bid to boost e-commerce in Europe, unveiled on Wednesday.

Green light for EU-wide cybersecurity rules — 19 May 2016, 00:06 CET

New rules to strengthen the security of network and information systems throughout Europe are due to enter into force in August, after the EU formally gave its green light on Tuesday.

EU agrees better access to public sector websites and apps — 06 May 2016, 23:19 CET

Public sector bodies' websites and mobile applications will have to offer improved access for disabled and elderly people, under a provisional deal struck by Parliament and Council negotiators.

Statement of Objections to Google on Android operating system and applications - Factsheet — 20 April 2016, 16:27 CET

The European Commission informed Google on 20 April of its preliminary view that the company has, in breach of EU antitrust rules, abused its dominant position by imposing restrictions on Android device manufacturers and mobile network operators. The Commission's preliminary view is outlined in a Statement of Objections addressed to Google. It is also addressed to Alphabet, as it is standard practice for objections to also be addressed to the relevant parent company. This Factsheet summarises key elements of the Commission's preliminary view set out in the Statement of Objections. Sending a Statement of Objections does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation. Please also see press release.

Google hit by EU anti-trust charges over Android — 21 April 2016, 16:14 CET

The European Commission accused Google Wednesday of breaching EU antitrust rules, 'abusing its dominant position' in the Android market by imposing various restrictions on manufacturers and mobile operators.