Internet Policy in the EU

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

Stricter EU-wide penalties for cyber attacks — 04 July 2013, 22:39 CET

Cyber criminals will face tougher penalties in the EU, under new rules adopted by Parliament on 4 July. The draft directive, already informally agreed with member states, also aims to facilitate prevention and to boost police and judicial cooperation in this field. In the event of a cyber attack, EU countries will have to respond to urgent requests for help within eight hours.

Digital Agenda Scoreboard — 13 June 2013, 12:52 CET

The Digital agenda Scoreboard assesses progress with respect to the targets set out in the Digital Agenda (2013 update).

Feedback sought on commitments offered by Google to address competition concerns — 25 April 2013, 12:47 CET

The European Commission is inviting comments from interested parties on commitments offered by Google in relation to online search and search advertising.

Consultation on the rapidly converging audiovisual world — 25 April 2013, 00:06 CET

Millions of Europeans catch up with their favourite TV series on a smartphone on the way to work, watch online content on their living room TV, or put their own user-generated content online. There are more than 40.4 million "connected TVs" in Europe, and they could be in the majority of EU households by 2016. These changes are sweeping away traditional boundaries between consumers, broadcast media and the internet. The Commission wants to explore what this convergence of technology and content could mean for Europe's economic growth and innovation, cultural diversity, and consumers (especially those that may need protection, such as children}.

Microsoft: Commission fine for non-compliance with browser choice commitments — 06 March 2013, 18:37 CET

The European Commission has imposed a EUR 561 million fine on Microsoft for failing to comply with its commitments to offer users a browser choice screen enabling them to easily choose their preferred web browser. In 2009, the Commission had made these commitments legally binding on Microsoft until 2014. In today's decision, the Commission finds that Microsoft failed to roll out the browser choice screen with its Windows 7 Service Pack 1 from May 2011 until July 2012. 15 million Windows users in the EU therefore did not see the choice screen during this period. Microsoft has acknowledged that the choice screen was not displayed during that time.

Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs — 04 March 2013, 19:29 CET

Commission President José Manuel Barroso has called on Europe's digital businesses, governments, training and education sectors to join a Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs to address up to 900 000 job vacancies expected to exist in Europe in Information and Communication technologies (ICT) by 2015. Despite the current levels of unemployment, the number of digital jobs is growing by more than 100,000 per year. Yet the number of fresh ICT graduates and skilled ICT workers is not keeping up.

Data protection rules: backing from European Parliament Industry committee — 20 February 2013, 22:31 CET

The European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE) has given its backing to Commission proposals to reform the EU’s data protection rules which date back to 1995. The vote on the Committee’s opinion, drafted by Member of the European Parliament Seán Kelly, is the latest step towards a swift adoption of the proposed legislation. The Committee’s opinion – which covers the draft general Data Protection Regulation – will now be submitted to the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee (LIBE), which will consolidate all the amendments submitted so far and vote on its own report at the end of April.

Proposed Directive on Network and Information Security — 07 February 2013, 13:49 CET

The European Commission, together with the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has published a cybersecurity strategy alongside a Commission proposed directive on network and information security (NIS). The cybersecurity strategy – "An Open, Safe and Secure Cyberspace" - represents the EU's comprehensive vision on how best to prevent and respond to cyber disruptions and attacks. The strategy articulates the EU's vision of cyber-security in terms of five priorities: Achieving cyber resilience Drastically reducing cybercrime Developing cyber defence policy and capabilities related to the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) Developing the industrial and technological resources for cyber-security Establishing a coherent international cyberspace policy for the European Union and promoting core EU values. The proposed NIS Directive is a key component of the overall strategy and would require all Member States, key internet enablers and critical infrastructure operators such as e-commerce platforms and social networks and operators in energy, transport, banking and healthcare services to ensure a secure and trustworthy digital environment throughout the EU. The proposed Directive lays down measures including: (a) Member State must adopt a NIS strategy and designate a national NIS competent authority with adequate financial and human resources to prevent, handle and respond to NIS risks and incidents; (b) Creating a cooperation mechanism among Member States and the Commission to share early warnings on risks and incidents through a secure infrastructure, cooperate and organise regular peer reviews; (c) Operators of critical infrastructures in some sectors (financial services, transport, energy, health), enablers of information society services (notably: app stores e-commerce platforms, Internet payment, cloud computing, search engines, social networks) and public administrations must adopt risk management practices and report major security incidents on their core services.

Digital Agenda Review - new digital priorities for 2013-2014 — 19 December 2012, 00:20 CET

The European Commission has adopted seven new priorities for the digital economy and society. The digital economy is growing at seven times the rate of the rest of the economy, but the Commission says this potential is currently held back by a patchy pan-European policy framework. Today's priorities follow a comprehensive policy review and place new emphasis on the most transformative elements of the original 2010 Digital Agenda for Europe.

Sweep on online games, books, videos and music — 06 December 2012, 17:54 CET

The European Commission has today published the results of an EU wide screening of websites selling games, books, videos and music which can be downloaded to a computer or mobile device. The check shows that over 75% of these websites do not appear to comply with consumer protection rules. This is particularly concerning where vulnerable consumers, such as children, are targeted. Users have to click their way through a maze of contract terms, to find out how much they will eventually have to pay and children are frequently lured into purchasing items related to supposedly free games. In case of a problem, reaching the after-sales service is often difficult as contact information is missing in more than one third of the websites. National enforcement authorities will now contact the companies concerned to enable them to clarify their position or correct their website.

Making government websites accessible for all — 04 December 2012, 14:29 CET

Over 100 million EU citizens would find it easier to use online public services to look for a job, register a car, submit a tax declaration and apply for a passport or driving license thanks to new rules proposed by the European Commission on 4 December, the International Day of People with Disability.

Global Alliance against child sexual abuse online — 04 December 2012, 14:11 CET

The Global Alliance against child sexual abuse online is a joint initiative primarily from the EU and the US reaching out to third countries. The Global Alliance builds upon the successful work of the EU-US Working Group on cyber-security and cyber-crime, where the fight against child online abuse has been identified as a key priority. The Alliance was endorsed by EU Member States in the Council conclusions on 7 June 2012, and by the US in the EU-US Joint Statement on 21 June 2012.

EU cloud computing board begins work — 20 November 2012, 13:45 CET

The Steering Board of the new European Cloud Partnership (ECP) met for the first time in Brussels on 19 November, kicking-off a process where public authorities and industry work together to help building the EU Digital Single Market for cloud computing pursuant to the European Cloud Computing Strategy. Specifically, the ECP aims at leveraging the public sector's buying power to shape the growing and maturing market for cloud computing services. Chaired by Toomas Hendrik Ilves, President of Estonia, the board brings together tech Chief Executive Officers and government representatives with responsibility for IT procurement. The board will deliver strategic advice to Commission Vice President Neelie Kroes.

European Cloud Computing Strategy — 20 November 2012, 13:19 CET

In September 2012, the European Commission adopted a strategy for "Unleashing the Potential of Cloud Computing in Europe". The strategy outlines actions to deliver a net gain of 2.5 million new European jobs, and an annual boost of EUR 160 billion to EU GDP (around 1%), by 2020. The strategy is designed to speed up and increase the use of cloud computing across the economy. This strategy was the result of an analysis of the overall policy, regulatory and technology landscapes and of a wide consultation of stakeholders, undertaken to identify what needs to be done to make the most of the potential that the cloud has to offer us. This document sets out the most important and urgent additional actions. It represents a political commitment of the Commission and serves as a call on all stakeholders to participate in the implementation of these actions.

Statement of Objections to Microsoft on non-compliance with browser choice commitments — 24 October 2012, 13:21 CET

The European Commission has informed Microsoft of its preliminary view that Microsoft has failed to comply with its commitments to offer users a choice screen enabling them to easily choose their preferred web browser. In 2009, the Commission had made these commitments legally binding on Microsoft. The sending of a statement of objections does not prejudge the final outcome of the investigation.

Online gambling in the Internal Market — 23 October 2012, 17:38 CET

The European Commission today unveiled an action plan, with a series of initiatives over the next two years aimed at clarifying the regulation of online gambling and encouraging cooperation between EU Member States. Online gambling is one of the fastest growing service activities in the EU, with annual growth rates of almost 15% and an estimated EUR 13 billion in annual revenues in 2015.

Orphan works — 04 October 2012, 20:06 CET

Orphan Works are works which are protected by copyright but whose creators cannot be identified or found. The new Directive on Orphan Works will provide Europe's libraries, archives, film heritage institutions, public broadcasters and other organisations acting in the public interest with the appropriate legal framework to provide on-line cross-border access to orphan works contained in their collections. The Directive is a central element of the Commission's strategy to create an enabling framework for the use of intellectual property announced in its intellectual property strategy adopted in May 2011.

Cyber Europe 2012 — 04 October 2012, 16:33 CET

Hundreds of cyber security experts from across the EU are testing their readiness to combat cyber-attacks in a day-long simulation across Europe today. In Cyber Europe 2012, 400 experts from major financial institutions, telecoms companies, internet service providers and local and national governments across Europe are facing more than 1200 separate cyber incidents (including more than 30 000 emails) during a simulated distributed denial of service (DDoS) campaign. The exercise is testing how they would respond and co-operate in the event of sustained attacks against the public websites and computer systems of major European banks. If real, such an attack would cause massive disruption for millions of citizens and businesses across Europe, and millions of euros of damage to the EU economy.

Cloud computing: new strategy to drive European business and government productivity — 27 September 2012, 13:51 CET

The European Commission's new strategy for "Unleashing the potential of cloud computing in Europe" outlines actions to deliver a net gain of 2.5 million new European jobs, and an annual boost of EUR 160 billion to EU GDP (around 1%), by 2020. The strategy is designed to speed up and increase the use of cloud computing across the economy. 'Cloud computing' refers to the storage of data (such as text files, pictures and video) and software on remote computers, which users access over the internet on the device of their choice. This is faster, cheaper, more flexible and potentially more secure than on-site IT solutions. Many popular services such as Facebook, Spotify and web-based email use cloud computing technologies but the real economic benefits come through widespread use of cloud solutions by businesses and the public sector.

Proposed Directive on collective management of copyright and related rights and multi-territorial licensing - guide — 12 July 2012, 12:40 CET

The European Commission has proposed measures to modernise collecting societies and put in place incentives to promote their transparency and efficiency. New digital technologies are opening up great opportunities for creators, consumers and businesses alike.

Passenger rights - EU mobile app — 04 July 2012, 19:47 CET

Passengers stranded at airports or awaiting missing luggage may now use a mobile application from the EU for free to check their rights immediately and on the spot. The European Commission has launched this application to cover air and rail transport; the app will also be extended to bus/coach and waterborne transport in 2013. The application is available on four popular mobile platforms: Apple iPhone and iPad, Google Android, RIM Blackberry and Microsoft Windows Phone 7.

EU Directive 2002/58 on Privacy and Electronic Communications — 02 July 2012, 17:47 CET

Directive 2002/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 2002 concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector (Directive on privacy and electronic communications)

Digital Agenda Scoreboard - need for structural economic reform across Europe and surplus of ICT jobs — 19 June 2012, 12:04 CET

Europe's citizens, businesses and innovator s are generating enough digital demand to put Europe into sustainable economic growth, but failure to supply enough fast internet, online content, research and relevant skills is undermining this potential. Greater data consumption and a shift to mobile technologies (such as smartphones) and mobile services (such as 3G internet, music streaming and webmail) are the most significant trends in the information & communications technologies (ICT) sector, which now accounts for 8 million jobs and 6% of EU GDP.

Electronic identification, signatures and trust services - guide — 05 June 2012, 22:48 CET

The European Commission has proposed new rules to enable cross-border and secure electronic transactions in Europe. The proposed Regulation will ensure people and businesses can use their own national electronic identification schemes (e-IDs) to access public services in other EU countries where e-IDs are available. It also creates an internal market for e-Signatures and related online trust services across borders, by ensuring these services will work across borders and have the same legal status as traditional paper based processes. This will give full effect to the major potential savings of eProcurement. The proposal fully respects both existing national ID systems and the preferences of those Member States without national ID schemes. It allows countries with e-ID to opt-in or to remain outside of the European scheme. Once a Member State notifies that they wish to join the pan-European scheme, they must offer the same access to public services via e-ID that they offer to their own citizens.

Internet Policy in the EU — 26 June 2014, 15:38 CET

Latest business news about Internet Policies and the Digital Agenda of the European Union.