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The lobby-tomy 8: “Anti-fraud” – another magic word
Prevention of fraud is a compelling argument for less privacy protection. Insurance companies, banks, and lenders often use it to get access to data.
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EU Ombudsman demands trilogue reform, following our advice
On 12 July 2016, the European Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly adopted a decision that asks for a reform of trilogues. In her decision, she follows many of our recommendations. The Ombudsman is the body dealing with maladministration in the European Union (EU).
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More Copyfails or meaningful improvements?
The EU will soon be reforming its copyright rules. The European Commission is planning to present its proposal on 21 September 2016. To succeed in updating the copyright rules in a way that respects the needs of both the users and creators of cultural goods, we believe both European citizens and policy makers should better […]
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German surveillance laws: placebos, poison, and also bad sport
The German parliament, the Bundestag, voted in favour of two contentious surveillance laws in July 2016. These are not only disappointing with regard to their content but also as cases of dubious parliamentary procedure. Those observing international politics may be familiar with the phrase “burying bad news”. The phrase gained notoriety through leaked emails from […]
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Copyfail #9: Digital Rights Management (DRM): Restricting lending and borrowing books and music in digital format
This article is the ninth in the series presenting Copyfails. The EU is reforming its copyright rules. We want to introduce you to the main failures of the current copyright system, with suggestions on how to fix them. You can find all the Copyfails here. How has it failed? We are able to lend book […]
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European Court confirms: Strict safeguards essential for data retention
Today, on 19 July 2016, the Advocate General (AG) Henrik Saugmandsgaard Øe of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) issued an Opinion on a case Tele2 Sverige AB v Post- och telestyrelsen (C-203/15) that deals with data retention obligations that were imposed by law on a Swedish telecom provider. The Court was […]
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Citizens sent a clear and loud message: We want a free and open internet!
Keeping the internet free and open undoubtedly matters to Europeans: by the end of the public consultation on implementation of net neutrality rules, over half a million comments were sent following the SaveTheInternet.eu campaign.
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Copyfail #8: Geo-blocking: Blocking access to cultural content online depending on your physical location
This article is the eighth in the series presenting Copyfails. The EU is reforming its copyright rules. We want to introduce you to the main failures of the current copyright system, with suggestions on how to fix them. You can find all the Copyfails here. How has it failed? If I can watch a football […]
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Study launch: The EU can achieve data protection-proof trade agreements
Today, on 13 July 2016, the University of Amsterdam’s Institute for Information Law (IViR) released a study on data protection and trade that BEUC, EDRi, CDD and TACD had commissioned. The purpose of the study was to have an independent assessment on the respect of privacy and data protection by trade agreements being negotiated by […]
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Algorithms – censorship à la carte?
On 17 June, the Counter Extremism Project (CEP) presented software designed to stop the proliferation of “extremist“ video and audio online. CEP is a non-profit organisation that states as its mission “combating extremist groups”. Of course, this algorithm alone can do nothing: To be operational, it needs a database of already identified “extremist” content. Humans […]
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Dutch parliament votes against internet filter
On 5 July 2016, the Dutch parliament voted against the introduction of an internet filter. Such a filter would be ineffective and would undermine trust in digital infrastructure. The internet filter was proposed as part of new legislation to regulate online gambling in the Netherlands. Currently, online gambling is prohibited. Of course, this doesn’t deter […]
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Oversight of the new Europol regulation likely to remain superficial
On 1 May 2017, the new regulation on Europol will enter into force. The compromise agreed on during the trilogue procedure establishes more detailed provisions on oversight of the activities of Europol by the European Parliament.
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