EU officials warn member states that Covid-19 tracing apps must not be used for 'mass surveillance' and need to be deactivated when pandemic ends
News EU
GDPR ‘At Risk Of Failing’ Due To Lack Of Resources
Software maker argues GDPR left toothless due to lack of budget ad technical staff at European member states' data protection authorities
EU Looks To Take Lead On Industrial Data
Data and AI strategy set for launch this week advances bloc's efforts to build industrial data powerhouse while fending off competition from US and China
Qualcomm Confirms EU Antitrust Probe Of 5G Chips
Not again. Qualcomm admits it is facing an EU antitrust investigation over sales of its 5G modem chips, as it warns of Coronavirus disruption
MEPs Back Single Charger For Smartphones
Resolution calls for introduction of single charging method, in spite of Apple's warning that new regulations would stifle innovation
UK ‘Will Not Implement EU Copyright Directive’
Controversial provisions that Google argued would ban memes and GIFs will not be brought into UK law, as country departs from European Union
Airbnb Wins Top EU Court Ruling Over Regulatory Status
European Court of Justice decides Airbnb is an 'information society service' and not a real estate agent, defeating challenge by Paris city authorities
EU Queries News Publishers On Google Data Practices
European Commission asks news publishers for details on how Google collects user data from their sites as it launches online ad competition probe
European Commission Launches New Google Data Probe
Commission taking a new look into Google's collection and use of data in wake of multiple antitrust decisions and 8 billion euros in fines
EU Data Regulator Finds ‘Serious Concerns’ Over Microsoft Contracts
Microsoft's contracts with EU agencies found to have 'significant scope for improvement' where it comes to protecting citizens' data
Italy To Implement Digital Tax From January 2020
Country pushes ahead with 3 percent levy on internet transactions as digital tax negotiations continue on Europe-wide and global level
Vodafone Bug Lands Users With Huge Roaming Charges
Users outside the UK left unable to make calls or use data after 'technical error' lands them with bills into the hundreds and thousands of pounds
EU Antitrust Watchdog Looks To Sanction Chip Giant Broadcom
Competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager set to deploy rarely used powers against Broadcom as EU steps up action against US tech giants
Apple Heads To Court Over £11bn Bill For Back Taxes
EU's General Court to hear appeal against European Commission's record 2016 fine, itself part of a broader crackdown on low tax rates paid by tech giants in Europe
EU ‘Prepared’ To Push Ahead With Digital Tax
If global plans fail to move ahead, new Commissioner for Economic Affairs Paolo Gentiloni says he will propose EU-wide tax targeting tech giants
Google To Charge Search Providers To Appear On Android ‘Choice Screen’
Android antitrust remedy comes at a cost for rival search providers, which will have to take part in an auction to appear on list of alternate providers
Google Targeted By Fresh Round Of GDPR Complaints
Google faces more data protection scrutiny in Europe following series of actions filed in the UK, Germany, France and other EU countries
EU Security Official Calls For Loopholes In 5G Standards
Next-generation networks make it too difficult for security agencies to spy on targets, says EU counter-terrorism coordinator Gilles de Kerchove in leaked memo
European Companies Report Increase In Forced Technology Transfers To China
An EU industry group finds that the number of firms reporting forced technology transfers has doubled over the past two years
EU Regulators Plan Apple Probe After Spotify Antitrust Complaint
Spotify accused Apple of misusing its dominant iPhone App Store to charge a 'tax' on rival music services
Controversial EU Copyright Reform Clears Final Hurdle
EU member states, including the UK, adopt sweeping copyright changes intended to adjust rules for the digital age
Data Protection Regulator To Probe EU Institutions’ Contracts With Microsoft
The investigation follows a Dutch report that found privacy concerns with the way Microsoft held public authorities' data in a US-based data centre
European Parliament Backs Controversial Copyright Reform
The vote brings in sweeping reforms intended to ensure publishers and content creators are compensated for material used online, but critics fear unintended consequences
EU To Propose Europe-Wide Plan On Huawei And 5G Security Risks
Recommendations would see member states work together on pan-EU 5G rules – while disregarding US' call for an outright ban on Chinese suppliers
Regulators Release Guidelines On GDPR’s Geographic Scope
European Data Protection Board seeks comments on its guidance as firms expect the GDPR's impact to make itself felt in the coming year
Proposed EU Digital Tax Plans Face Defeat This Week
Ireland and Scandinavian countries oppose plans for an interim tax on the biggest digital companies, while troubles also beset a more recent compromise
France, Germany Pull Back On Plans For Tax On US Digital Giants
Under a new compromise, the EU now aims to implement its 3 percent tax on large digital companies' revenues by 2020 — and only if international bodies fail to reach a solution
France’s Le Maire: European Tax On Tech Giants Is Question Of ‘Sovereignty’
French finance minister Bruno Le Maire argues the only thing holding the tax on Amazon, Apple, Google, Facebook and the like is a 'lack of political will'
EU Set To Approve Microsoft’s $7.5bn GitHub Buy Without Conditions
Microsoft is reportedly set to get a no-strings-attached green light for the surprise deal, which sees Redmond acquiring the internet's top code hosting site
European Parliament Votes To Suspend Privacy Shield
The data-sharing agreement could be put on hold from 1 September if the Trump administration continues to delay compliance