News - For Governments

Düsseldorf council opts for anonymous digital voting despite security concerns, risking parliamentary process credibility. An IT firm's system will enable online balloting, including secret votes, raising transparency questions.

Civil society groups urge EU lawmakers to reject AI Omnibus proposals weakening AI Act transparency. This move risks fundamental rights and enforcement for negligible company benefits.

EDRi urges the Council to reject the Digital Omnibus proposal, citing fundamental rights violations and poor regulatory practice. The group demands the Commission resubmit the legislation with comprehensive assessments.

Brussels launches a new Action Plan to combat cyberbullying, aiming to protect EU youth online. An EU-wide app will offer help, alongside coordinated national efforts and safer digital practice promotion.

EU launches an action plan against cyberbullying to protect children online. The initiative consolidates existing tools and legal frameworks to combat online harassment.

Big Tech lobbies against the EU's Digital Fairness Act, aiming to curb manipulative online design. Google and Meta face scrutiny over practices that steer user behavior.

EU regulators preliminarily found TikTok breached the Digital Services Act with its addictive platform design. EDRi urges TikTok to swiftly mitigate risks to its 500 million European users.

Mannheim's AI-powered "behavior scanner" surveillance project faces scrutiny. Baden-Württemberg's data protection authority is investigating a section where no crimes were reported since cameras were installed.

EU lawmakers are extending a temporary loophole for the second time, allowing internet services to voluntarily scan user communications. This exemption bypasses privacy rules for combating child sexual abuse, raising proportionality concerns.

EU Commission finds TikTok insufficient in curbing addictive platform risks. A preliminary ruling under the Digital Services Act could lead to penalties, citing concerns over youth mental health impacts.

EDRi network condemns US administration pressure on members over platform regulation. This highlights ongoing tensions between online speech advocacy and regulatory enforcement in Europe.

EU Commission finds TikTok's addictive design breaches the Digital Services Act. Features like infinite scroll and personalized recommendations are under scrutiny for harming user well-being.

Dutch Caribbean jurisdictions tackle urgent privacy and digital resilience challenges. A symposium highlighted the need for cross-border cooperation to safeguard data and build citizen trust in digital governance.

Europe launches 23rd Safer Internet Day to champion online safety with events across the continent. Hundreds of initiatives in schools, cinemas, and online aim to foster better digital experiences for all.

Dutch municipalities fined €250K for illegally processing sensitive data on Islamic residents. This violation of the GDPR highlights privacy breaches and unauthorized handling of religious and political affiliations.

EDRi flags digital rights concerns over borders, biometrics, billionaires, and bots. The newsletter covers the latest tech policy debates across Europe.

Germany plans a military satellite network with laser weapons and jamming systems, a €10B project by Rheinmetall and OHB. This network aims for secure communication and offensive capabilities for the Bundeswehr.

Swiss civil society warns against proposed data retention law, fearing privacy invasion. 19 groups urge alignment with top privacy standards, spotlighting concerns over indiscriminate data collection.

EDRi members launch #DIDit movement for digital independence, sparking alternatives to Big Tech. 189 organizations now support monthly meet-ups exploring Big Tech alternatives.

EU Commission's new Digital Networks Act dismantles net neutrality protections, risking paid fast lanes and political control. This move threatens the open internet by weakening independent regulators and could empower biased traffic prioritization.