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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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Three steps to end freedom of expression
Our right to freedom of expression is laid out in law by the EU Treaties. To ensure democracy and accountability, this fundamental human right may not be restricted unless it is necessary, achieves an objective of general interest and the measure to restrict it is provided for by law.
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Alliance for broadband competition sets out benchmarks for EU’s telecommunications update
On 12 July, EU and US telecommunications experts issued a clear warning: to ensure investment in broadband and to give consumers high-speed access to the internet, efficient competition has to be guaranteed. EU policy-makers, academics, civil society and internet providers gathered at #NetCompetition’s high-level forum to lay down the yardstick for the upcoming telecommunications review. […]
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Privacy Shield: Privacy sham
Today, on 12 July 2016, the European Commission adopted the so-called “Privacy Shield”, a special arrangement that allows the transfer of personal data from the EU to the United States. The Privacy Shield replaces the former Safe Habor agreement, which used to serve the same purpose, before being annulled by the European Court of Justice […]
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Telcos & Commission attack net neutrality and BEREC’s independence
On 7 July 2016, the European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society Günther H. Oettinger welcomed an attack on net neutrality and the independence of the European Telecom Regulators (BEREC).
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UEFA: 1, Right to remix: 0 – Viral video gets blocked
The idea was so simple and yet so genius. After the dramatic Euro 2016 quarter finals between Italy and Germany, the web-artist Kurt Prödel had a wonderful idea: he created a 14-second video, which showed all penalties by the German team simultaneously. In the video, all players are running simultaneously towards the Italian goalkeeper who, […]
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Net neutrality – last call for responses to Europe’s biggest ever telecoms consultation
With over 93 000 comments and counting, EU telecom regulators’ consultation on net neutrality has received unprecedented attention from concerned EU citizens. SaveTheInternet.eu is making a final push this week in a bid to reach 100 000 comments. SaveTheInternet.eu, an international coalition of NGOs supporting digital rights in Europe and abroad, is making a last call […]
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Copyfail #7: Not allowing research via “commercial” text and data mining
This article is the seventh 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 live in an era where […]
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Traffic management: Where are the risks for online discrimination
Net neutrality is the principle that all the internet traffic is treated equally, without blocking or slowing down certain data. Net neutrality is crucial for fair competition between online services, for innovation, and for freedom of expression online. The European Parliament has adopted a Regulation that includes provisions on net neutrality. Currently, the BEREC (the […]
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