News

A collection of 40 posts

Connectivity Featured

Digital Networks Act: backdoors for network fees and more

The Commission’s draft Digital Networks Act would replace the 2018 EECC and reopen old fights: less national control over spectrum, a costly copper switch-off by 2035, and a “voluntary” conciliation backdoor that could revive de facto network fees.

News Featured

2026: a year for preparation and a sharper focus

2026 is the EU’s digital “set-up” year: a time to simplify rules, set priorities, and brace for transatlantic spillovers as major legislative initiatives race toward 2027.

News Featured

US threatens European companies (and why it may not have the desired effect)

US trade officials warned on X that European service providers could face fees and restrictions if the EU keeps “discriminatory” tech rules.

AI Featured

Europe has both a competitiveness and a fantasy-thinking problem

As EU governments discuss the Digital Omnibus, Europe is divided: some see the Omnibus as a necessary step to help European companies, while others cling to rules like the GDPR and the AI Act.

Connectivity Featured

Digital Networks Act: new pushback from 6 EU member states

Six EU countries are challenging the upcoming Digital Networks Act, pushing to keep national control over key telecom rules. Meanwhile, European consumers, trade partners, and the EU’s own watchdog cast doubt on the Commission’s plans.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

News Featured

EU's Media Freedom Act: potential pitfalls

EMFA takes effect, aiming to boost plurality, transparency, and journalist protection. Broad media definition, conditional source safeguards, media concentration rules, state funding controls, and a powerful new EU media board raise both hopes and concerns.

News Featured

Booking.com faces class action lawsuit at home

The Amsterdam court will have to decide between compensating hotels for past losses or focusing on Booking.com’s current conduct, highlighting the broader tension between market fairness and Europe’s global tech competitiveness.

News Featured

Gloomy times ahead for European political advertising

Meta and Google will end political ads in the EU ahead of the TTPA’s 2025 rollout. The regulation’s broad definition of political advertising and extensive obligations for platforms have led to unintended consequences - not just for politicians, but also for think tanks and NGOs.

AI Featured

US-EU 90-day tariff pause ends tomorrow

As the US-EU 90-day tariff pause nears its end, digital tensions remain unresolved. Despite growing pushback from startups and Member States, the European Commission stays firm on its digital agenda - from the DMA and DSA to the AI Act's rollout.

News Featured

Danish Presidency kicks off tomorrow: digital priorities at a glance

Tomorrow, Denmark takes over the Presidency of the Council of the EU from Poland, leading until December 31, 2025. Here's a look at the key digital priorities on the Danish agenda.

News Featured

Opportunities for media outlets & blogs

We created EU Tech Loop to break info barriers around digital policy - no paywalls, no gatekeeping. Want to share our content? Email us at editor@eutechloop.com - let’s talk!

News Featured

EU to lower ESG reporting metrics to boost competitiveness and reduce compliance costs

The European Commission aims to lower its ESG reporting requirements, recognizing the compliance costs it may imposed on firms and consumers.

News Featured

EU's e-commerce toolbox, digital fairness & the case of personalized ads

The EU Commission unveiled the E-Commerce Toolbox, proposing Customs Union reform, removal of duty exemptions (<€150), stricter customs controls, and stronger consumer protections. By 2026, the Digital Fairness Act may offer restricting personalized ads, impacting both consumers and SMEs.

News Featured

Cutting red tape: no time for incrementalism. Suggestions for EU policy makers.

With the release of the Competitiveness Compass this week, the European Commission has once again committed to cutting red tape. The ambition is commendable, but for real impact, the EU needs to avoid usual siloed, incremental actions and draw from best practices from across Europe.

News Featured

A request for Dombrovskis et al.: the EU's regulatory simplification efforts need to be... simplified and digitalized

The EU is prioritizing reducing administrative burden on SMEs, led by Ursula von der Leyen and Valdis Dombrovskis. To succeed, the approach must become more streamlined, transparent, and inclusive, avoiding scattered efforts and ensuring broader public representation than before.

News Featured

EU Tech Loop wrap-up: November 2024

In this month’s EU Tech Loop wrap-up we dive into the EU's digital future: the EU Commission’s tech agenda, Digital Networks Act, Ukraine’s e-gov lessons, AI sandbox progress, BRICS digital sovereignty, EU red tape cuts, and EU-US tech ties.