EU parliament quietly keeps visitors' wi-fi data
The European Parliament is retaining the data of everyone who uses their wi-fi network, including journalists and visitors, and providing access to police in case of investigations.
News in Brief
- Finland: EU should have anti-money laundering agency
- Russian forces build up in north Syria
- Second French EU nominee also under fire from MEPs
- France approves budget for medical cannabis research
- Police make arrests in migrant lorry deaths
- EU states want to reduce emissions from shipping sector
- Von der Leyen to meet French and Hungarian candidates Monday
- EU ambassadors delay decision on Brexit extension
'No evidence' ECB bond-buying helped euro economy
Models used to claim ECB policy have boosted eurozone economy were discredited by economists who inserted random figures.
EU agrees draft copyright reform, riling tech giants
After marathon talks, EU negotiators agree on provisional copyright reform, requiring companies to filter content to prevent unauthorized work on their platform. Online platforms and open-internet advocates warn it will hurt the free flow of information.
EU want Facebook pan-EU advert fix for May elections
EU institutions want Facebook to relax its rules, to allow pan-European political groups to carry out EU-wide campaigns. Facebook has yet to implement the demands - posing questions on the extent to which Europe relies on the US tech firm.
Wifi or 5G to connect EU cars? MEPs weigh in
The European Parliament will vote amidst a battle of technology standards. The European Commission is accused of favouring one technology over another.
Single EU railway signalling system faces delays
'A reality check shows that we are already falling a little bit behind in the first few years,' said the new coordinator for the European rail traffic management system (ERTMS).
EU states given right to police Facebook worldwide
National courts in EU states can order Facebook to delete content "worldwide", Europe's top tribunal has ruled, in what the US social media giant called an attack on free speech.
Automation threat to jobs will hit EU unevenly
New technologies, such as artificial intelligence and robotics, have the potential "to displace some workers from their tasks, even causing some jobs to disappear entirely", affecting the work nature of millions of jobs in Europe, according to a new report.
Germany adopts blockchain strategy and says no to Libra
The German federal government has passed a blockchain strategy designed to unlock the potential of this new technology, in both Germany and Europe, and prevent the risks associated with its implementation.
France urges EU virtual currency rules amid Libra risk
France has urged the EU to introduce a framework for the regulation of cryptocurrencies, after the introduction of the new Facebook virtual money 'Libra' threatens the financial stability of the EU.
All 'big five' tech firms listened to private conversations
Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple, and Microsoft have all been listening to users' private conversations, prompting investigations by EU data authorities.
EU considers new rules on facial recognition
The European Commission is exploring stricter rules for facial recognition technology, but not all are convinced they are needed.
EU experts agree pesticide may damage unborn children
There are no safe levels for exposure to the pesticides chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl, EU experts have said in a preliminary-finding into the pesticide - suggesting an EU-wide ban is a step closer.
Bienkowska bows out, with no EU 'Space Force' in sight
EU commissioner Elzbieta Bienkowska said back in January the EU should consider setting up its own space army - in response to Donald Trump's similar plan. Bar two speeches, not much has happened.
Eight EU states miss artificial intelligence deadline
Pan-European strategy "encouraged" member states to publish national artificial intelligence strategies by mid-2019. Germany, France and the UK have already done so - others are lagging behind.
EU hesitates to back France over US tariff threat
France has passed a new tax on tech companies that will affect US global giants like Facebook. Donald Trump has threatened retaliatory tariffs over it. The EU commission says it will "coordinate closely with French" on the next steps.
EU defends US data pact, as Facebook court case opens
An Austrian privacy campaigner vs Facebook over the future of data transfers to the US case opened at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg on Tuesday. The European Commission, meanwhile, says the Privacy Shield pact is working fine.
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Opinion
Facebook has to answer some tough questions about Libra
German MEP and member of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, Markus Ferber, warns of four separate threats from Facebook's Libra. A good moment to kick off the debate would be this week's G20 summit.
Opinion
Inconvenient Facebook truths ahead of EU election
With the declared aim to protect the integrity of the European elections, Facebook new political ads rules are preventing these elections from being truly European.
Investigation
How Apple lobbied EU to delay common smartphone charger
iPhones and Android products don't use the same charger. This is annoying for consumers and harmful for the environment. Old chargers produce more than 51,000 tons of electronic waste per year.
EU lawmakers pass contentious copyright law
The European Parliament backed a law on copyrighted content online. Defenders says it will safeguard right holders from being exploited by big tech firms. Critics say it spells the end of internet freedoms and curtails expression.
EU rolls out €525m for military projects, but bars illegal tech
The European Commission will publish calls for proposals in the next few days following an announcement of €525m for joint defence industrial projects.
Focus
US concerns about Chinese tech giants challenge Europe
The European Commission is about to address the issues raised by the US concerning Huawei and the development of Europe's new digital infrastructure.
Stakeholder
Digital 'Iron Curtain' makes no sense in 5G era
5G technology is a product of global innovation and cooperation. Drawing an Iron Curtain would therefore have an impact on all: Chinese, Europeans, Americans, and others alike.
Interview
EU should clarify rules for plant burgers and lab meat
Chatham House research fellow Laura Wellesley discusses her new report, which looked at how alternative meat products are regulated. 'It's not about everybody becoming vegan,' she said.
British MPs condemn Facebook CEO's misrule
Cambridge Analytica scandal exposed "profound failure of governance within Facebook", British MPs said, while blaming Zuckerberg for his contempt for democratic scrutiny.
Exclusive
ESA pushback against new EU space agency plan
The European Space Agency, which is independent of the EU, has asked the European Commission not to rename an EU agency as the similar-sounding European Union Agency for the Space Programme.
Stakeholder
Startups told to pack their bags after three years
Politicians need to stop romanticising past economic ideas and establish rules that allow the next generation of success stories to happen in Europe.
Focus
EU official: 'weak politicians' appease taxi drivers
Henrik Hololei, director-general for Mobility and Transport at the EU commission, riled against "old-fashioned, totally non-future-oriented taxi companies".
EU tells tech giants to fight harder against disinformation
With only four months to go until the European elections, the EU commission is upping the pressure on US internet giants to do more on combatting disinformation.
European Space Force should only be for defence, says MEP
German centre-right MEP Monika Hohlmeier said it was up to defence ministers to give shape to the idea introduced at a space conference this week.
Feature
Apple moves Denmark from cows to clouds
US tech giant Apple will open its first data centre outside the US in 2019 in a tiny Danish village. Cheap electricity, plus stable societies, are the two main reasons for global high-tech companies to locate in the Nordic region.
Interview
Russian and US obstruction was 'insult' to climate scientists
Professor Richard Betts led an EU-funded research project into global warming. Although he sensed an increase in determination at UN climate talks in Poland, he condemned as an "insult" the refusal of several countries to welcome a new report.
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Stakeholders' Highlights
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- Trial of Chechen prisoner of conscience and human rights activist Oyub Titiev continues.
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- EU bank urged to free itself from fossil fuels and take climate leadership
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- Turkey suffering from the lack of the rule of law
- Soft Drinks Europe welcomes Tim Brett as its new president
- Nordic ministers take the lead in combatting climate change
- European Parliament takes incoherent steps on climate in future EU investments
- Kyrgyz authorities have to immediately release human rights defender Azimjon Askarov
