eco Association: Five Theses on the 2023 German Digital Policy
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
eco Board Member Klaus Landefeld on the German Coalition Agreement: “A surveillance overview bill must not just be lip service”
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
eco on Germany’s newly created federal state body: “The Digital Ministers’ Conference of the federal states can raise digital policy to a new level”
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
eco Study: Internet Industry Defies Recession – Total Revenues of 389 Billion Euro Expected by 2030 1
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
DORA Reporting Period Begins: Supply Chain Security as a Predetermined Breaking Point
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
1
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
eco Board Member Klaus Landefeld on the German Coalition Agreement: “A surveillance overview bill must not just be lip service”
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
Alexandra Koch Skiba
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
Oliver Süme
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
Digital Policy Between Self-Discovery and Legacy Issues: eco Association Takes Stock of the German Federal Government’s First 100 Days
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