Policy & Law

Data Act Comes into Force – Association of the Internet Industry Warns: Without Rapid Implementation, German Companies Risk Competitive Disadvantage

On 12 September, the European Data Act comes into force – providing new momentum for Europe’s data economy. While the EU is already moving forward, Germany is in danger of falling behind, which could further exacerbate existing uncertainties in the Internet industry.

date 2025/09/11

press

KRITIS

eco On The German Cabinet Approval of KRITIS Act: Act Swiftly, Avoid Duplication

Today, the German Federal Cabinet approved the draft bill for the German KRITIS Umbrella Act (KRITIS DG), paving the way for further parliamentary proceedings. ‘The KRITIS Umbrella Act is an important step towards greater resilience in Germany. However, it will only be effective if responsibilities are clearly defined and unnecessary duplication of work is avoided," Ulrich Plate comments.

date 2025/09/11

press

Policy & Law

“Germany is still in the starting blocks in the AI race” – eco – Association of the Internet Industry Calls for a Turbo Boost for Germany as an AI Location

In the context of the stakeholder consultation in the publication of the draft bill for the national implementation of the AI Act, the eco – Association of the Internet Industry warns against a lack of coordination between the responsible authorities and calls for  practical implementation. To this end, eco identifies five key levers for Germany as an AI location.

date 2025/09/09

press

Policy & Law

Planned Amendment to the German Telecommunications Act: eco Welcomes the BMDS' Key Points

On 31 August 2025, the consultation period for the extension of the amendment to the German  Telecommunications Act ended, and with it the opportunity to officially comment on the key points. eco – Association of the Internet Industry sees the key points of the German Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs (BMDS) as important impetus for the expansion of fibre optics and mobile communications in Germany.

date 2025/09/02

press

Policy & Law

New Tasks for the Digital Services Coordinator – Bottlenecks Threaten Without Adequate Resources

Regarding the draft law on transparency and targeting of political advertising from the Federal Ministry for Digital and Public Administration, eco warns of massive understaffing of the responsible authorities. In the future, the German Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) is to function as the coordinating body for digital services – however, this does not even achieve half of the originally calculated staffing requirements.

date 2025/09/01

press

Policy & Law

Federal Data Centre Strategy: eco Association Presents 5-Point Plan for a Future-Proof Data Centre Location

Data centres are a key growth driver for Germany as a business location. To enable Germany to realise the full potential of artificial intelligence and digital innovations, eco has formulated five key requirements for a data centre strategy of the German federal government.

date 2025/08/25

press

Policy & Law

eco Criticises Plans for IP Address Storage: A Step Back into Surveillance?

eco Association warns against recent plans presented for three-month IP storage obligation. eco Chair Oliver Süme sees this as a clear violation of European law, massive infringements of fundamental rights, and offering no real added value for investigations. Rather than billions of data mountains without added value, the association calls for rule-of-law alternatives such as the Quick Freeze model.

date 2025/08/25

press

Policy & Law

Digital Policy Between Self-Discovery and Legacy Issues: eco Association Takes Stock of the German Federal Government’s First 100 Days

The eco Association takes stock of digital policy after 100 days of the new German federal government. Although the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs has fulfilled a long-standing demand of the industry, many core digital projects have not yet crossed the starting line. eco sees urgent need for action, particularly in the areas of AI, data centres, administrative digitisation and data protection. eco also critically evaluates the plans for data retention in the new security package.

date 2025/08/14

press

Policy & Law

Ruling on State Trojans: eco Welcomes Clarification by the German Federal Constitutional Court

The German Federal Constitutional Court has declared key regulations concerning Lawful Interception at the Source (Quellen-TKÜ) and online state searches to be partially unconstitutional. eco Board Member Klaus Landefeld welcomes the decision but warns of unresolved risks for IT security.

date 2025/08/11

press

Policy & Law

eco – Association After One Year of the AI Act: There Is A Lack of Legally Secure Framework Conditions And Political Will to Make AI "Made in Europe" A Success Story

One year ago, on 1 August 2024, the European AI Act came into force – a historic milestone for the global regulation of artificial intelligence. Europe has thus set comprehensive standards.

date 2025/07/31

press

Policy & Law

eco Association on the High-Tech Agenda

eco – Association of the Internet Industry regards the High-Tech Agenda of the Federal Ministry of Education, Research, Technology and Space as an important step towards enabling digital innovations “made in Germany”. With this initiative, the German federal government is sending a strong signal for the country’s future viability and demonstrating its recognition of the importance of digital innovation. The Association particularly welcomes the fact that Artificial Intelligence is identified as the number one key technology in the agenda.

date 2025/07/30

press

Policy & Law

Leaked German Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community (BMI) Draft Reveals Plans for Mass Surveillance – eco Warns Against Dismantling Constitutional Controls

With the leaked draft of the "Security Package 2.0", the German Federal Ministry of the Interior is planning far-reaching digital surveillance powers – some of which would not be subject to judicial review. eco – Association of the Internet Industry warns against dismantling constitutional safeguards and calls for a reorientation in line with fundamental rights.

date 2025/07/24

press

Policy & Law

eco Industry Pulse: East-West Divide in AI Use – Unclear Legal Situation and Security Concerns Are the Biggest Hurdles for Companies

Only 10% of respondents to the eco Industry Pulse – a recent survey of IT decision-makers* conducted by the market and opinion research institute Civey on behalf of eco – Association of the Internet Industry – believe that Germany is well prepared for upcoming AI developments. Germany also receives poor marks as a digital location: 72% of IT decision-makers in Germany rate the state of digital transformation as poor to very poor. One third even give it a grade of 6.

date 2025/07/21

press

Policy & Law

Holiday Photos: Only 5 Per Cent Blur Children’s Faces

The first federal states have already started their summer holidays and many families will be sharing their holiday experiences with friends and relatives via social media. But how conscious are parents and holidaymakers when it comes to sharing holiday photos?

date 2025/07/08

press

Datacenter

Competitive Electricity Prices for Data Centres: eco Alliance Welcomes Initiative by Reiche, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy in Germany

Lower electricity costs for data centres mean more growth potential for the German economy – it’s basically a simple calculation. It is good that Reiche, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy in Germany, has recognised the potential of data centres for the German economy and brought it back onto the political agenda in the context of electricity price subsidies.

date 2025/07/08

press