Every article that follows an EU policy instrument: the laws, proposals and strategies shaping tech in Europe.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Scandinavian state has been a stalwart supporter of CSAM scanning and chat control. Now, they hold the keys to make it a reality.
The White House says the EU has committed to not introducing network fees, a significant step in transatlantic digital policy talks. While details about the EU's true commitment remain unclear, such fees risk undermining net neutrality and raising consumer costs, as seen in South Korea.
Germany and Austria have launched simple AI service desks to guide companies under the AI Act. The EU’s €2M version, expected by August 2025, will rely on human staff for general guidance (not thorough legal advice) and respond in 12 EU languages within 2 days.
EU Justice Ministers met in Copenhagen to discuss targeted GDPR simplification. While the Commission rules out a full review, momentum is growing to ease burdens, especially for SMEs and scale-ups, which are key to Europe's competitiveness.
The Danish EU Presidency is pushing GDPR reform to boost competitiveness, proposing SME-friendly changes like limiting data rights in low-risk cases, simplifying DPIAs, and requiring prior engagement before complaints. Broader reforms may still be needed for hyperscalers.
The EU’s Data Union Strategy aims to boost AI-friendly data use, streamline rules, and expand global data flows. But GDPR remains off the table. Unfair B2B data sharing, lack of incentives for public institutions need more attention.
The current debate on European digital sovereignty largely targets American tech, while 5G infrastructure sovereignty and security are often sidelined as "non-priority" or "too expensive".
Eighty-one organizations representing European consumer interests have issued a joint statement opposing the revival of network fees - or "fair share" - in the context of the upcoming Digital Networks Act.
Analysis of EU innovation, consumer and tech policy
