Toggle navigation eco Press Releases Press Releases Press Distribution List Press DownloadsPress TextPhotographsLogosStudiesAnnual ReportsPortfolio Press Policy & Law IT Skills Shortage: Companies Are Missing Out on AI Potential The new eco Industry Pulse survey shows that, despite a shortage of skilled workers, IT companies are so far making little use of AI to bridge staffing shortages. At the same time, around 70 per cent of IT decision-makers in Germany believe that by 2030, AI will take over a large proportion of the tasks currently performed by IT departments. These and other findings come from a representative Civey survey conducted on behalf of eco among 500 industry specialists and managers. date 2025/12/11 press Policy & Law First Smartphone for Christmas? eco Association Offers Tips for Parents on Safe Entry into Social Media At Christmas, many children will receive their first smartphone – and with it, usually access to social networks. In light of the ongoing discussion about age limits for social media platforms, Alexandra Koch-Skiba, Head of the eco Complaints Office, gives five practical tips on how parents can effectively support their children when they start using social media. date 2025/12/10 press Policy & Law eco Survey: Majority of German Population Wants Age Restrictions for Social Media – But Considers Them Unworkable Against the backdrop of the current debate on age limits for social media platforms, eco has commissioned a new survey: According to the survey, 82 per cent of Germans are in favour of an age limit for social media, but more than half of those surveyed doubt the practical feasibility of such a regulation. That’s why eco is calling for practicable, data protection-compliant and uniform solutions across Europe. date 2025/12/09 press eco Four Out of Five Germans Are Annoyed by Cookie Banners: eco Calls for Simplification of Data Protection Notices To mark Cookie Day on 4 December, eco commissioned a representative YouGov survey on cookie banners. The results clearly show that the majority of Germans find the current data protection notices annoying. The EU’s Digital Omnibus could be an opportunity to make adjustments. date 2025/12/09 press Datacenter eco Alliance on the New IW Study: Data Centres Drive Frankfurt’s Economic Growth – But New IW Study Identifies Obstacles for Operators Data centres are the foundation of digital value creation in Frankfurt and the entire Rhine-Main region. The new study by IW and Detecon provides clear figures and shows that, in contrast to the economy as a whole, the industry is recording record growth. The city and the entire Rhine-Main region also benefit significantly from this. date 2025/12/08 press Policy & Law For a Strong Germany Stack: eco Association Calls for a Clear Line and Technological Openness With the Germany Stack, the German Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation is creating the foundation for a central platform architecture. However, the Association of the Internet Industry sees a need for improvement: so far, all criteria lack clear definitions and a common frame of reference. For this reason, eco sets out fundamental requirements for a successful Germany Stack. date 2025/12/08 press Policy & Law eco Association: BMDS Budget Insufficient for Digital Breakthrough eco Association assesses the budget of the BMDS (German Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation) for 2026, approved by the German Bundestag on Tuesday, as significantly too weak to effectively advance Germany’s digital transformation. date 2025/11/27 press Policy & Law eco Association on the Status of the CSAM Regulation: EU Council Must Ensure Clear Renunciation of Search Obligation in Trilogue In the course of the upcoming trilogue negotiations on the European CSAM Regulation, eco warns against the introduction of mandatory chat control. This is because suspicionless searches of private communications without cause is contrary to fundamental rights, is technically misguided and endangers everyone’s security. Alexandra Koch-Skiba, Head of the eco Complaints Office, reaffirms this assessment in a current statement. date 2025/11/27 press eco eco Survey: Citizens Dissatisfied with Digital Administration – Digital Wallet Could Be a Turning Point The digitalisation of public authorities in Germany remains a challenge. A representative survey commissioned by eco shows that the majority of citizens rate the current situation negatively. At the same time, there is growing openness towards government-provided digital identity solutions – provided they are secure, transparent and easy to use. date 2025/11/24 press Policy & Law European Summit on Digital Sovereignty: eco Welcomes EU Declaration and Calls for Pragmatic, Innovation-Friendly Policies in the European Single Market With its new “Declaration for European Digital Sovereignty,” the EU makes it clear that digital sovereignty means the ability to act, not isolation. eco welcomes the declaration by the EU Member States on the occasion of the European Summit on Digital Sovereignty in Berlin and has also defined four key dimensions for digital sovereignty. date 2025/11/20 press Policy & Law Digital Omnibus: eco Association Sees Major Opportunity for Greater Clarity in Europe’s Digital Rules The “Digital Omnibus” aims to better align key European regulations. Through this comprehensive reorganisation of digital laws, the European Commission seeks to reduce bureaucracy and to provide more guidance for both companies and public authorities. eco Association expressly welcomes this approach and sees the “Digital Omnibus” as an opportunity for more modern, clearer digital regulation. date 2025/11/18 press Datacenter Energy Crisis for Data Centres Intensifies The eco Data Centre Alliance criticises the German federal government’s failed location policy. In particular, the Federal Council’s proposal on grid connection allocation – rejected by the Economic Committee — together with yesterday’s coalition committee agreement on an industrial electricity price, are, in the association’s view, jeopardising the data centre industry in Germany. date 2025/11/14 press Policy & Law Together Against Sexual Abuse Online – What Professionals Need to Know The German hotlines of eco, FSM and jugendschutz.net are hosting a webinar on 18 November for educational professionals, multipliers and all other interested parties on the occasion of the “European Day for the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse”. The webinar provides practical knowledge and guidance. date 2025/11/13 press Policy & Law eco – Association of the Internet Industry on NIS-2: Late Start, Now Critical – Germany Must Create Trust and Clarity A late start, but on the home stretch: Germany has managed the long run-up and will finally adapt the important NIS-2 implementation. The second stage of the EU infringement procedure hung over Berlin like a sword of Damocles for a long time; but now there is finally movement in the legislative backlog on cybersecurity. date 2025/11/12 press Policy & Law Mid-Year Review of the German Federal Government: Around Two-Thirds of Citizens Dissatisfied with Digital Policy Half a year after the German federal government took office, citizens are drawing a sobering interim assessment: a recent YouGov survey commissioned by the eco Association shows that around two-thirds of the population are dissatisfied with the government’s digital policy. date 2025/11/05 press Policy & Law Data Retention: eco Warns Against Regression – Legal Certainty, Proportionality and Data Protection Must Remain Guiding Principles The German federal government plans to store IP addresses for up to three months. From eco's point of view, this would be a step backwards in digital policy: renewed blanket data retention jeopardises fundamental rights, creates economic burdens and undermines trust in digital services. Instead, the association is calling for a legally compliant, proportionate and technically feasible solution that is aligned with the ECJ requirements. date 2025/10/29 press Security eco IT Security Survey 2025: How AI is Becoming the New Shield Ransomware, CEO fraud, deepfakes – attacks are becoming more sophisticated. But with artificial intelligence, defensive capabilities are also growing. Our 2024 IT Security Survey shows how companies are securing their digital sovereignty. date 2025/10/28 press Cloud Computing Project DIRECTIONS: SMART Strengthens Data Protection in Digital Learning The project DIRECTIONS, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), strengthens transparency and trust in digital learning. SMART Technologies has made a self-commitment to data protection for its Lumio learning system and is now listed in the Trusted Cloud Register. date 2025/10/27 press Policy & Law eco Managing Director Rabe Re-nominated as DSC Advisory Board Member by the German Bundestag Today, eco Managing Director Alexander Rabe was once again nominated by a majority vote of the German Bundestag as a member of the Advisory Board of the Digital Services Coordinator (DSC) at the Federal Network Agency. date 2025/10/16 press Policy & Law eco – Association of the Internet Industry Warns Against Chat Control: No Weakening of Secure Encryption The draft proposal by the Danish Council Presidency for the planned chat control carries significant risks for citizens, companies and critical infrastructure. Additionally, the latest Annual Report from the eco Complaints Office, which has been working with law enforcement agencies and international partners for over 25 years to combat illegal online content, underscores the high effectiveness of existing structures. eco is therefore calling on the German federal government and EU Member States to reject this proposal on 14 October. date 2025/10/07 press Policy & Law eco on the Launch of the EU’s “AI Apply” Strategy: Funding Must be Considered Comprehensively Tomorrow, the European Commission will present its new “AI Apply” strategy, aiming to strengthen Europe as an AI hub and promote innovation. The eco Association welcomes this step, but calls for holistic implementation across all sectors. date 2025/10/06 press Security Strengthening the Pan-Atlantic Digital Future at the Heart of Atlantic Convergence 2025 Ivo Ivanov, the CEO from DE-CIX, explains how the Atlantic Convergence 2025 in Lisbon – taking place from 28 to 30 October – will address urgent security, trust and compliance challenges facing the pan-Atlantic digital ecosystem. date 2025/10/01 press Policy & Law Before Cabinet Review: eco – Association of the Internet Industry Urges Streamlined Supervision and Fair Implementation of the Data Act The German federal government plans to soon discuss the implementation law for the Data Act in the cabinet. eco welcomes this step, but warns that the German federal government has let valuable time to slip away during the long transition period. Now, swift action must be taken to avoid placing unnecessary obstacles in the path of German companies. date 2025/10/01 press Policy & Law eco Study: Internet Industry Defies Recession – Total Revenues of 389 Billion Euro Expected by 2030 The German Internet industry continues to grow rapidly – the latest study by Arthur D. Little on behalf of the eco Association forecasts annual growth of around ten per cent despite the recession. According to the study, total revenues will rise from the current €245 billion to €389 billion by 2030. However, eco warns of structural deficits that could jeopardise this growth trajectory. date 2025/09/30 press Digital Business Models eco and IndustryFusion Cooperate: Sovereign Data Spaces for Industry eco and the IndustryFusion Foundation have agreed on a far-reaching cooperation to promote the expansion of digital infrastructures and sovereign data spaces for industrial applications in Europe. date 2025/09/15 press Digital Business Models FACIS Launches First Call for Tenders for Digital Contracting Service (DCS) FACIS is launching the first call for tenders as part of the European funding programme, IPCEI-CIS/8ra. The starting point is the Digital Contracting Service (DCS), which enables secure and efficient handling of contract processes in federated cloud and edge ecosystems. date 2025/09/12 press 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 IT Skills Shortage: Companies Are Missing Out on AI Potential The new eco Industry Pulse survey shows that, despite a shortage of skilled workers, IT companies are so far making little use of AI to bridge staffing shortages. At the same time, around 70 per cent of IT decision-makers in Germany believe that by 2030, AI will take over a large proportion of the tasks currently performed by IT departments. These and other findings come from a representative Civey survey conducted on behalf of eco among 500 industry specialists and managers. date 2025/12/11 press
Policy & Law First Smartphone for Christmas? eco Association Offers Tips for Parents on Safe Entry into Social Media At Christmas, many children will receive their first smartphone – and with it, usually access to social networks. In light of the ongoing discussion about age limits for social media platforms, Alexandra Koch-Skiba, Head of the eco Complaints Office, gives five practical tips on how parents can effectively support their children when they start using social media. date 2025/12/10 press
Policy & Law eco Survey: Majority of German Population Wants Age Restrictions for Social Media – But Considers Them Unworkable Against the backdrop of the current debate on age limits for social media platforms, eco has commissioned a new survey: According to the survey, 82 per cent of Germans are in favour of an age limit for social media, but more than half of those surveyed doubt the practical feasibility of such a regulation. That’s why eco is calling for practicable, data protection-compliant and uniform solutions across Europe. date 2025/12/09 press
eco Four Out of Five Germans Are Annoyed by Cookie Banners: eco Calls for Simplification of Data Protection Notices To mark Cookie Day on 4 December, eco commissioned a representative YouGov survey on cookie banners. The results clearly show that the majority of Germans find the current data protection notices annoying. The EU’s Digital Omnibus could be an opportunity to make adjustments. date 2025/12/09 press
Datacenter eco Alliance on the New IW Study: Data Centres Drive Frankfurt’s Economic Growth – But New IW Study Identifies Obstacles for Operators Data centres are the foundation of digital value creation in Frankfurt and the entire Rhine-Main region. The new study by IW and Detecon provides clear figures and shows that, in contrast to the economy as a whole, the industry is recording record growth. The city and the entire Rhine-Main region also benefit significantly from this. date 2025/12/08 press
Policy & Law For a Strong Germany Stack: eco Association Calls for a Clear Line and Technological Openness With the Germany Stack, the German Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation is creating the foundation for a central platform architecture. However, the Association of the Internet Industry sees a need for improvement: so far, all criteria lack clear definitions and a common frame of reference. For this reason, eco sets out fundamental requirements for a successful Germany Stack. date 2025/12/08 press
Policy & Law eco Association: BMDS Budget Insufficient for Digital Breakthrough eco Association assesses the budget of the BMDS (German Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation) for 2026, approved by the German Bundestag on Tuesday, as significantly too weak to effectively advance Germany’s digital transformation. date 2025/11/27 press
Policy & Law eco Association on the Status of the CSAM Regulation: EU Council Must Ensure Clear Renunciation of Search Obligation in Trilogue In the course of the upcoming trilogue negotiations on the European CSAM Regulation, eco warns against the introduction of mandatory chat control. This is because suspicionless searches of private communications without cause is contrary to fundamental rights, is technically misguided and endangers everyone’s security. Alexandra Koch-Skiba, Head of the eco Complaints Office, reaffirms this assessment in a current statement. date 2025/11/27 press
eco eco Survey: Citizens Dissatisfied with Digital Administration – Digital Wallet Could Be a Turning Point The digitalisation of public authorities in Germany remains a challenge. A representative survey commissioned by eco shows that the majority of citizens rate the current situation negatively. At the same time, there is growing openness towards government-provided digital identity solutions – provided they are secure, transparent and easy to use. date 2025/11/24 press
Policy & Law European Summit on Digital Sovereignty: eco Welcomes EU Declaration and Calls for Pragmatic, Innovation-Friendly Policies in the European Single Market With its new “Declaration for European Digital Sovereignty,” the EU makes it clear that digital sovereignty means the ability to act, not isolation. eco welcomes the declaration by the EU Member States on the occasion of the European Summit on Digital Sovereignty in Berlin and has also defined four key dimensions for digital sovereignty. date 2025/11/20 press
Policy & Law Digital Omnibus: eco Association Sees Major Opportunity for Greater Clarity in Europe’s Digital Rules The “Digital Omnibus” aims to better align key European regulations. Through this comprehensive reorganisation of digital laws, the European Commission seeks to reduce bureaucracy and to provide more guidance for both companies and public authorities. eco Association expressly welcomes this approach and sees the “Digital Omnibus” as an opportunity for more modern, clearer digital regulation. date 2025/11/18 press
Datacenter Energy Crisis for Data Centres Intensifies The eco Data Centre Alliance criticises the German federal government’s failed location policy. In particular, the Federal Council’s proposal on grid connection allocation – rejected by the Economic Committee — together with yesterday’s coalition committee agreement on an industrial electricity price, are, in the association’s view, jeopardising the data centre industry in Germany. date 2025/11/14 press
Policy & Law Together Against Sexual Abuse Online – What Professionals Need to Know The German hotlines of eco, FSM and jugendschutz.net are hosting a webinar on 18 November for educational professionals, multipliers and all other interested parties on the occasion of the “European Day for the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse”. The webinar provides practical knowledge and guidance. date 2025/11/13 press
Policy & Law eco – Association of the Internet Industry on NIS-2: Late Start, Now Critical – Germany Must Create Trust and Clarity A late start, but on the home stretch: Germany has managed the long run-up and will finally adapt the important NIS-2 implementation. The second stage of the EU infringement procedure hung over Berlin like a sword of Damocles for a long time; but now there is finally movement in the legislative backlog on cybersecurity. date 2025/11/12 press
Policy & Law Mid-Year Review of the German Federal Government: Around Two-Thirds of Citizens Dissatisfied with Digital Policy Half a year after the German federal government took office, citizens are drawing a sobering interim assessment: a recent YouGov survey commissioned by the eco Association shows that around two-thirds of the population are dissatisfied with the government’s digital policy. date 2025/11/05 press
Policy & Law Data Retention: eco Warns Against Regression – Legal Certainty, Proportionality and Data Protection Must Remain Guiding Principles The German federal government plans to store IP addresses for up to three months. From eco's point of view, this would be a step backwards in digital policy: renewed blanket data retention jeopardises fundamental rights, creates economic burdens and undermines trust in digital services. Instead, the association is calling for a legally compliant, proportionate and technically feasible solution that is aligned with the ECJ requirements. date 2025/10/29 press
Security eco IT Security Survey 2025: How AI is Becoming the New Shield Ransomware, CEO fraud, deepfakes – attacks are becoming more sophisticated. But with artificial intelligence, defensive capabilities are also growing. Our 2024 IT Security Survey shows how companies are securing their digital sovereignty. date 2025/10/28 press
Cloud Computing Project DIRECTIONS: SMART Strengthens Data Protection in Digital Learning The project DIRECTIONS, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), strengthens transparency and trust in digital learning. SMART Technologies has made a self-commitment to data protection for its Lumio learning system and is now listed in the Trusted Cloud Register. date 2025/10/27 press
Policy & Law eco Managing Director Rabe Re-nominated as DSC Advisory Board Member by the German Bundestag Today, eco Managing Director Alexander Rabe was once again nominated by a majority vote of the German Bundestag as a member of the Advisory Board of the Digital Services Coordinator (DSC) at the Federal Network Agency. date 2025/10/16 press
Policy & Law eco – Association of the Internet Industry Warns Against Chat Control: No Weakening of Secure Encryption The draft proposal by the Danish Council Presidency for the planned chat control carries significant risks for citizens, companies and critical infrastructure. Additionally, the latest Annual Report from the eco Complaints Office, which has been working with law enforcement agencies and international partners for over 25 years to combat illegal online content, underscores the high effectiveness of existing structures. eco is therefore calling on the German federal government and EU Member States to reject this proposal on 14 October. date 2025/10/07 press
Policy & Law eco on the Launch of the EU’s “AI Apply” Strategy: Funding Must be Considered Comprehensively Tomorrow, the European Commission will present its new “AI Apply” strategy, aiming to strengthen Europe as an AI hub and promote innovation. The eco Association welcomes this step, but calls for holistic implementation across all sectors. date 2025/10/06 press
Security Strengthening the Pan-Atlantic Digital Future at the Heart of Atlantic Convergence 2025 Ivo Ivanov, the CEO from DE-CIX, explains how the Atlantic Convergence 2025 in Lisbon – taking place from 28 to 30 October – will address urgent security, trust and compliance challenges facing the pan-Atlantic digital ecosystem. date 2025/10/01 press
Policy & Law Before Cabinet Review: eco – Association of the Internet Industry Urges Streamlined Supervision and Fair Implementation of the Data Act The German federal government plans to soon discuss the implementation law for the Data Act in the cabinet. eco welcomes this step, but warns that the German federal government has let valuable time to slip away during the long transition period. Now, swift action must be taken to avoid placing unnecessary obstacles in the path of German companies. date 2025/10/01 press
Policy & Law eco Study: Internet Industry Defies Recession – Total Revenues of 389 Billion Euro Expected by 2030 The German Internet industry continues to grow rapidly – the latest study by Arthur D. Little on behalf of the eco Association forecasts annual growth of around ten per cent despite the recession. According to the study, total revenues will rise from the current €245 billion to €389 billion by 2030. However, eco warns of structural deficits that could jeopardise this growth trajectory. date 2025/09/30 press
Digital Business Models eco and IndustryFusion Cooperate: Sovereign Data Spaces for Industry eco and the IndustryFusion Foundation have agreed on a far-reaching cooperation to promote the expansion of digital infrastructures and sovereign data spaces for industrial applications in Europe. date 2025/09/15 press
Digital Business Models FACIS Launches First Call for Tenders for Digital Contracting Service (DCS) FACIS is launching the first call for tenders as part of the European funding programme, IPCEI-CIS/8ra. The starting point is the Digital Contracting Service (DCS), which enables secure and efficient handling of contract processes in federated cloud and edge ecosystems. date 2025/09/12 press
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
