Digital world

Study confirms doubts about lawfulness of the Entry Exit System

A study commissioned by the Greens/EFA Group

The Opinion of the CJEU impacts other data retention schemes, including the one proposed in the EES, significantly and therefore cannot be ignored – neither in on-going legislative procedures nor in view of potential amendments to be made to existing instruments.

Automatic filters are not the solution

Digital Summit

“The European Commission's idea that complex questions of internet policy can be solved with automated filtering tools is misguided and dangerous," says Julia Reda, Greens/EFA spokesperson for digital policy. Her comments come ahead of the first Digital Summit of Heads of State and Government on Friday 29 September, in Tallinn.

Binding standards needed to keep network safe

EU Commission Cyber Security Strategy

The digitalisation of everyday life and the so-called Internet of Things requires more security for information technologies, as made clear by the May 2017 "WannaCry" incident.

Better Regulation for Copyright

Academics Meet Policy Makers

The EU has set itself the goal to base all its actions on evidence and a full understanding of the impacts of legislation. Better regulation should therefore also be the principle to apply in the ongoing legislative initiatives on copyright and related policy.

#WannaCry: Lessons learned for Security and Liability in the Internet of Things

In the beginning of 2017, the European Commission has published a communication on the “Data Economy” that also touches on liability regimes for the internet of things, and has kicked off a public consultation. The conference could pick up on this and focus on security vulnerabilities created by smart devices.

Democratic Discourse 2.0

Potentials and challenges in a new era of communication

The increased role of intermediaries in a convergent media environment and the rise of so-called “alternative media” raises questions about the future role of traditional media and journalism. Furthermore, the strategic use of algorithms and targeted diffusion of fake news on social media in the context of electoral campaigns show us that latest innovations and trends in the media environment have significant effects on how politics are discussed in our democratic societies.

Greens/EFA Round up

Debriefing of the Strasbourg plenary week 15-18 May 2017

Greens/EFA priorities for the Strasbourg Plenary included: food waste; Commission statement: harnessing globalisation by 2025; ECJ ruling on competences of EU vs Member States in FTAs; Council and Commission statements - Making relocation happen; Vote on GMO objections; Situation in Hungary; Money laundering; Conclusions of the European Council meeting; Cross-border portability.

Digital borders in Europe to remain

Digital Single Market

The European Parliament has today adopted a new regulation that will ensure that Europeans who buy or subscribe to online content services are able to access them when they travel in other EU countries. Services like Netflix and Spotify will now be obliged to enable cross-border portability of their...

Despite small steps forward, geoblocking will continue

Geoblocking

The European Parliament has voted on a new regulation designed to limit the practice of “geoblocking”. While the regulation goes further than what was originally proposed by the European Commission, it falls far short of ending the practice.

Revised directive will help protect consumer interests

Audiovisual Media Services

The European Parliament’s Culture and Education Committee has voted on proposals to reform the Audiovisual Media Services Directive. This revision will extend the scope of the regulation to include video sharing platforms.

European Parliament stands up for consumer interests

Roaming

With the Parliament giving its approval to the results of the trialogue on roaming charges, lower prices have been secured for consumers and roaming costs will soon be a thing of the past. Not only this, but smaller providers will now also be able to compete with the big telecommunications corporations.

EU Commission must create a legal framework

Robots and artificial intelligence

The European Parliament has opened an urgently needed debate on creating an ethical and legal framework for the development and use of autonomous and intelligent machines. The European Commission must act and develop concrete legislative proposals.