Regulate social media platforms to defend democracy, MEPs say. In a debate with Secretary of State for European Affairs Ana Paula Zacarias from the Portuguese Presidency of the Council, and Commission Vice-President Věra Jourová, almost all speakers criticised the vast power of social media platforms and their worrying impact on politics and freedom of speech. […]
Portuguese Presidency organizes “The Metamorphosis of Intellectual Property in the Age of Digital Transition” high level conference
The Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) is organizing, in digital format, this Thursday, February 11, 2021, a high-level conference on the theme of “the metamorphosis of intellectual property in the era of transition digital ”. The conference, energized by the Ministry of Justice and the National Institute of Industrial Property, […]
Data Protection Research: In 2020 Fines Reach €307 Million in Europe
A new reporto by Federprivacy has analyzed official sources of information in the 30 countries that are part of the European Economic Area (EEA). The Covid-19 emergency has not stopped the data protection authorities in Europe that during 2020 have imposed more than € 307.000.000 of fines, according a new report by Federprivacy that has […]
EU cybersecurity agency has to develop a certification scheme on 5G networks, Commission request
The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity welcomes the European Commission request for a candidate cybersecurity certification scheme on 5G networks. Following a request by the European Commission, ENISA will proceed with the preparation of the new candidate cybersecurity certification scheme on 5G. This step follows on from the EU toolbox for 5G security and it […]
European Institute of Innovation and Technology welcomes improved legal framework and new strategic agenda for 2021-2027
Trilogue negotiations have now concluded, pending the final approval of the legal texts by the European Parliament and the Council. The Commission has welcomed the political agreement reached last week between the European Parliament and EU Member States on an update of the legal basis of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) as […]
MEPs consider the ‘Right to disconnect’ a fundamental right for those who work digitally
Parliament calls for an EU law that grants workers the right to digitally disconnect from work without facing negative repercussions. In their legislative initiative that passed with 472 votes in favour, 126 against and 83 abstentions, MEPs call on the Commission to propose a law that enables those who work digitally to disconnect outside their […]
Eminent jurists launch ‘Call to Action’ for the next European legislature
‘Europe Day’ was created 34 years ago following the call by a number of European governments to strengthen a sense of European values and collective identity based on the notion of a ‘People’s Europe’. Yet more than a decade on from the economic crisis and the roll out of harsh austerity policies throughout the continent, […]
“Peace at risk in Colombia”, say human rights organisations in Brussels
Brussels – More than 75 representatives from Colombian, European and international civil society met in Brussels last week to assess the serious human rights situation in Colombia and to alert the EU and European States about the lack of implementation of the Peace Agreement between the FARC-EP and the Colombian Government. The international meeting, representing […]
Wall to Wall – Europe’s 1000 km Migrant Barriers
Member States of the EU and Schengen Area have built around 1000 kilometres of walls since the 1990s to stop migration flows On the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall, a new report reveals that the EU and Schengen Area states have built around 1000 kilometres of walls, the equivalent of six Berlin […]
Health Intelligence, Europe’s Superbug Fight
The European Commission has launched its new anti-microbial resistance Action Plan. Anti-microbial resistance is responsible for an estimated 25,000 deaths per year in the European Union and a financial loss of around 1.5 billion euros, relating to healthcare costs and productivity losses. Launching the new Action Plan, Vytenis Andriukaitis, the Commissioner for Health and Food […]