Policy & Law

eco on the Proposed Cloud and AI Development Act: Digital Sovereignty Must Not Lead to Isolation

Ahead of the planned presentation of the Cloud and AI Development Act, eco Association warns against blanket exclusion mechanisms for cloud and AI services. Digital sovereignty must not lead to protectionism, explains eco’s Managing Director Alexander Rabe. Transparent, proportionate and technically verifiable criteria are crucial.

date 2026/06/03

press

Policy & Law

Tech Sovereignty Package: eco Alliance Warns of a Dampening Effect on Europe’s Data Centre and AI Goals

The Alliance for the Strengthening of Digital Infrastructures in Germany has warned against regulatory missteps in the anticipated Tech Sovereignty Package. Europe needs faster approvals, predictable grid connections, and a practical labelling system in order to effectively expand AI, cloud and data centre capacities.

date 2026/06/02

press

Policy & Law

eco Warns Against Cybersecurity Act: Cabinet Decision Must Not Become a Gateway to State Intervention in Networks

Ahead of today’s Federal Cabinet meeting on the planned Cybersecurity Act, eco has warned against a dangerous expansion of state intervention powers in the digital sphere. From the perspective of the Internet industry, the draft marks a profound shift in the understanding of state cyber defence.

date 2026/05/27

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Policy & Law

Between Victim Protection and Overblocking: eco Association Calls for Practical Rules in the Fight Against Digital Violence

With the draft act for a law to strengthen civil and criminal law protection against digital violence, the German federal government is responding to new challenges. eco Association welcomes the initiative by the German Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection (BMJV) in principle – but warns that new powers of intervention must only be implemented with clear constitutional safeguards and practical guidelines.

date 2026/05/21

press

Datacenter

eco Alliance Urges Implementation of the Data Centre Strategy

A new position paper from the Internet industry highlights the key obstacles now facing the sector: grid connections, electricity prices and viable framework conditions are becoming decisive factors for the expansion of data centres in Germany. Without swift implementation of energy policy measures, there is a risk that investments will move elsewhere.

date 2026/05/07

press

Security

eco Survey: Is the Password Soon to be Obsolete? One in Three Already Uses New Authentication Methods

On the occasion of World Password Day, eco Association is publishing a representative YouGov survey showing that the traditional password is increasingly losing its role as the sole security mechanism. Nevertheless, the majority of Germans still consider their online passwords to be secure.

date 2026/05/07

press

Policy & Law

One Year of the Black-Red Coalition: IT Decision-Makers Give German Digital Policy Poor Marks

The interim assessment of digital policy after just under a year of the German federal government’s tenure is mixed: in the eco Digitalpuls, the Association of the Internet Industry evaluates key digital policy initiatives across six areas of action. The results show that, despite initial progress, German digital policy still lacks impact.

date 2026/04/23

press

Policy & Law

After Cabinet Decision: eco Association Sees Significant Risks in IP Storage

The Federal Cabinet has approved the three-month retention period of IP addresses. eco warns of legal risks, questionable effectiveness, and significant burdens for companies as well as for Germany as a digital business location.

date 2026/04/22

press

Policy & Law

Ahead of the CSAM Trilogue: eco Warns Against Search Obligations and Double Regulation

Ahead of the upcoming trilogue negotiations on the European CSAM Regulation, eco is calling for a clear commitment to voluntary measures as well as greater regulatory coherence in the ongoing legislative process.

date 2026/04/15

press

Datacenter

Leadership Change at the Alliance for the Strengthening of Digital Infrastructures in Germany: Volker Ludwig Takes Over as Spokesperson

The Alliance for the Strengthening Digital Infrastructures, founded under the umbrella of eco – Association of the Internet Industry, announces a change in the role of spokesperson. Dr. Béla Waldhauser is handing over the role of spokesperson to Volker Ludwig, SVP and Managing Director Central Europe at Digital Realty.

date 2026/04/14

press

Policy & Law

Key Points of Hesse’s Regional Data Centre Strategy: eco Alliance Notes Progress and Areas Requiring Further Clarification

The Alliance for the Strengthening of Digital Infrastructures in Germany regards Hesse’s data centre strategy as a significant boost for the region’s digital sector. It highlights the strategic expansion and a multi-faceted approach as particular strengths. At the same time, the industry believes there is still a need for clarification regarding energy infrastructure, grid connectivity and the specific role of local authorities.

date 2026/03/27

press

Policy & Law

eco – Association of the Internet Industry Criticises Cybersecurity Act: State Intervention in Networks and Systems Threatens to Become the New Normal

eco warns of a paradigm shift towards active network manipulation and calls for clear constitutional safeguards.

date 2026/03/23

press

Policy & Law

eco – Association of the Internet Industry Urges: AI Omnibus Must Be the Starting Point for Genuine Relief for the Economy

The European Parliament paves the way for less bureaucracy in AI – eco now calls for consistent implementation, greater legal certainty and innovation-friendly regulation.

date 2026/03/23

press

Datacenter

Data Centre Strategy Remains Too Vague on Electricity Prices and Energy Efficiency

The Alliance for the Strengthening of Digital Infrastructures in Germany, operating under the umbrella of eco – Association of the Internet Industry, welcomes key elements of the German federal government’s National Data Centre Strategy, which is set to be adopted by the cabinet today. In particular, the target of doubling data centre capacity by 2030 and quadrupling AI capacity sends an important signal for competitiveness and digital sovereignty from the industry’s perspective.

date 2026/03/18

press

Policy & Law

eco Association on the Expiry of Voluntary Chat Control: Failed Extension Must Not Lead to a Mandatory Search Obligation Under the CSAM Regulation

With the expiry of the temporary exemption for voluntary chat control set to expire on 3 April 2026, the European Union faces a legal gap in the voluntary detection of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online. Following the failure of the EU Council and the European Parliament to agree on an extension of the exemption, pressure is mounting to find a swift and long-term solution for voluntary proactive measures by service providers within the framework of the trilogue negotiations on the CSAM Regulation.

date 2026/03/18

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