Privacy Featured

Old wine in new bottles: Denmark strong-arms the EU on Chat Control

Despite fierce criticism from privacy advocates, EU governments have backed a "compromise” Chat Control deal that still paves the way for mass scanning of encrypted messages and de facto digital ID checks for all users.

Privacy Featured

Time to talk about encryption (again)

Consumer Choice Center Europe has joined a global statement defending strong encryption, warning that efforts to fight online crime must not weaken secure communication or end-to-end encryption as the EU debates the controversial Chat Control proposal.

Best practices Featured

Reforms to boost AI in the EU: an overview of TBI’s ideas

A new Tony Blair Institute paper lays out how Europe can stay competitive in the AI age – by reforming regulation and capital markets, boosting compute and energy, and exporting its digital government stack.

Privacy Featured

A dangerous new proposal for Chat Control

Denmark’s EU Presidency has released a new, 203-page draft for Chat Control. Despite diplomatic tweaks, vague “risk mitigation” obligations could still require scanning of private messages, including those encrypted.

News Featured

EU Commission’s 2026 work programme: what’s next for digital

19 EU leaders urge “self-restraint” on new laws, yet the EU's 2026 plan is packed: 68 new initiatives, 20 evaluations, 153 pending files. Digital highlights: Public Procurement, Cloud & AI Development Act, Digital Fairness Act, plus pending digital euro and Chat Control.

Data Featured

Between the lines: GDPR in the EU Data Strategy Union consultation

DG Connect’s recap of the EU Data Strategy consultation brings few surprises: Western Europe led participation, Europeans are more active in providing unique feedback, and 25% want the GDPR reviewed.

Privacy Featured

New Danish proposal for Chat Control: three fat problems remain

Denmark’s update to the EU “chat control” plan shifts to “voluntary” scanning, but ex-MEP Patrick Breyer warns it still sidesteps Parliament’s court-order safeguard, would ban under-16s from messaging apps, and could effectively end anonymous communication.

DMA Featured

CEE consumers’ DMA experience and two ways to fix it

A new ECIPE/EPPP paper, based on a 3,500-person CEE survey, finds low DMA awareness but clear UX fallout: slower launches, missing features, and safety worries. The authors urge two paths: repeal the DMA or reform it to put consumers first.

Data Featured

What do Europeans have to say about the Digital Fairness Act?

Record 4,325 Call for Evidence submissions (boosted by gamers) show a split. Most business groups opposed it, and many publicly funded NGOs supported it. The EU “champions” (Wolt, Ryanair, Vinted, Spotify) warned of over-regulation, urging focus on implementation.

Best practices Featured

Is the EUDI wallet a digital silver bullet?

When EU policymakers launched the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI) under eIDAS 2.0, they promised a secure single ID for seamless cross-border use. But seen through the lens of wicked problems, it’s no silver bullet—more a starting point that merits cautious optimism

Best practices Featured

The DFA’s public consultation exposes Europe’s survey sore spots

The DFA consultation is structured in a traditionally biased way: supporters of more regulation can justify their view, while dissenters cannot. To uphold Better Regulation principles, the Commission should adopt a neutral, balanced survey design.

Privacy Featured

Chat Control on hold, Europe's Eastern flank remains passive

Germany’s withdrawal freezes CSAR, yet the EU’s eastern flank remains passive, signaling a deeper malaise: inefficient interministerial cooperation, capital–PermRep disconnects, and a habit of sidelining digital policy.

Best practices Featured

Developing Europeans’ digital skills: learning from the best

Fewer than 60% of Europeans have basic digital skills and fewer than 30% have above-basic skills, per the EU’s DESI. Future actions should anticipate needs, deliver strong user experience, prioritise adult training, and operate at scale.

Innovation Featured

Consumer waiting game: why do tech products launch later in Europe?

Europeans often get access to major tech products months after the U.S., and sometimes with missing features. Privacy rules, the Digital Markets Act, and cautious rollouts all play a role, leaving consumers and businesses a step behind on productivity and new use cases.

Privacy Featured

EU consultation on digital rules: time to think outside the box

The EU’s Digital Omnibus consultation is open until Oct 14, 2025, aiming to simplify data, AI, and cybersecurity compliance. But without tackling the GDPR reform, the elephant in the room remains.

Best practices Featured

Five takeaways for tech from Draghi's speech

At today’s conference on Draghi’s competitiveness report, key takeaways included: telecoms reform (DNA), calls for deeper GDPR reform, a pause on AI Act high-risk rules, "Buy European" procurement, and faster merger reform.

News Featured

The democracy paradox: why no political ads may empower illiberals

The EU’s new political ad rules, taking effect in Oct 2025, pushed Meta and Google to discontinue political ads in Europe. While meant to boost transparency, the situation risks aiding regimes like Orbán’s Fidesz, which dominate media and can drown out opposition voices.

Cybersecurity Featured

Time is running out for EU Member States to decide on Chat Control

With just a few days left before the Council is due to take a vote on the controversial proposal, both the public pressure and cross-party outcry may pose a unique challenge to Brussels' usual choreographed votes on long-debated legislation.

News Featured

In defense of Henna Virkkunen

As U.S. voices challenge EU digital rules, Brussels faces pressure. While some urge a tougher stance, Henna Virkkunen’s quiet diplomacy has helped defend EU interests—balancing trade, defense ties, and slow-moving deals with India and China.

Global Featured

Russia's new jab at Western social media platforms

Russia’s new Law No. 72-FZ bans all advertising on “undesirable” or extremist platforms, tightening control over Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X, with fines looming and influencers turning to VK, RuTube, or crypto to keep earning.

News Featured

Fragile truce: what the new US–EU trade deal means for digital

A week after the US–EU digital trade deal was unveiled, it is already under fire. Trump has threatened new tariffs, Brussels is pressing ahead with new rules, and both sides are sharpening arguments, underscoring how fragile yet vital the pact is for transatlantic tech.

News Featured

Confirmed: the EU will not introduce network fees

Just in: The US and EU have agreed on a new Framework for Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade after weeks of talks. On digital policy, the EU confirmed it will not adopt or maintain network usage fees, reaffirming the White House’s earlier position.

Privacy Featured

Children, age verification and the future of VPNs in Europe

As the EU reviews cybersecurity and privacy laws, VPNs may face new child-protection and age-verification rules. While uncertain, the UK’s messy experience could push the EU toward measures that risk undermining privacy.

AI Featured

Data centers: too many blank spots in the CEE

The IEA's data center map shows that Central and Eastern Europe remains underserved by data centers, despite favorable conditions. As the EU prepares €20B AI Gigafactories, Poland and the Baltics push to secure investment and strengthen the region’s digital sovereignty.”

Wiser Regulation Featured

Denmark’s opportunity to strengthen the EU's Better Regulation

The Danish EU Council Presidency, running until December 2025, pledges to push simplification and better regulation. Beyond agriculture, it has a chance to review Better regulation guidelines, improve consultations, ensure honest polling, and cut red tape to boost EU competitiveness.