Category Archives: Press Releases

News | 23.02.2017

eco and YouGov: Blockchain Could Fundamentally Change the German Economy

  • 34 percent of SMEs have heard of the blockchain
  • A third of those responsible expect fundamental changes within 10 years

The blockchain will fundamentally change the German economy within the next 10 years. This is what 32 percent of managers in German SMEs believe, according to a current YouGov survey. Just 34 percent of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), so around just a third of all respondents, has even heard of the blockchain. „65 percent of all survey participants who knew what the blockchain is and have looked at it closely, or even use it already, expect far-reaching economic changes,“ Stephan Zimprich, Leader of the Competence Group Blockchain of eco – Association of the Internet Industry, highlighted. The market research institute YouGov surveyed SMEs with between 50 and 500 employees on the perspectives for blockchain technology on behalf of the eco Association. Continue reading →

News | 09.08.2016

eco: The Call for the Extension of Blanket Data Retention is Aimless Activism

With regard to the recent call of Bavarian Minister of Justice, Winfried Bausback (CSU), for an extension of blanket data retention, Oliver Süme, eco Director Policy & Law, commented: “We believe that the decision the government took last year to reintroduce blanket data retention is neither compatible with German nor European law. To now extend the period of time sensitive and private data can be stored, and to include further services such as messengers and emails, – before blanket data retention has even been implemented – is just aimless activism.”  Continue reading →

News | 18.07.2016

Fight Against Child Sexual Abuse Material: European Party Invited Experts to Brussels

The European People’s Party (EPP) focused on current developments in the fight against Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) online in a hearing on 29 June. Representatives from Interpol, Europol and the European Commission reported on current developments and new challenges.

eco was represented by Oliver Süme, Director Policy & Law. In his talk, he gave insights into the cooperation between Internet and Social media companies and law enforcement and the hotlines. He gave the example of the work done by the eco Complaints Office, which has successfully been combatting CSAM online and other illegal content in the Internet for over 15 years. “At the meeting, it was clear that the hotlines and law enforcement are very willing to cooperate,” Süme remarked after the hearing.

This is the second time already this year that eco has spoken about this topic in the European Parliament. At an eco Political Breakfast in Brussels in January, eco reported on the work and success of the Complaints Office in the field of CSAM and on the status of the evaluation of Article 25 of the EU directive 2011/92/EU on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child pornography.

News | 12.07.2016

The Countdown Has Started: Blanket Data Retention is Turning into a Fiasco

eco calls for lawmakers to change course

  • The requirements are causing financial ruin for small and medium-sized enterprises
  • SMEs need financial compensation for the implementation and ongoing costs
  • Legislator must define practical rules compliant with EU law

At the latest a year from now, on 1 July 2017, providers are supposed to start collecting data. They will, however, not be in a position to do so. The Association of the Internet Industry, eco, is calling for a change in course. “If changes aren’t made quickly, then the government is facing another fiasco with blanket data retention,” Oliver Süme, eco Director Policy & Law, warns.
Continue reading →