Policy & Law

eco Association: German Federal Police Act Threatens to Undermine Digital Security

The current draft law to modernise the German Federal Police Act significantly expands the Federal Police’s surveillance powers. In view of the first reading on Thursday, eco Association is now warning of the risks to IT security and digital communication.

date 2025/12/17

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Datacenter

eco’s Managing Director Rabe on the Draft Bill for the German EnEfG Amendment

According to Rabe, this trend is positive. However, eco’s Managing Director would have liked to see a little more consistency in the adjustments in some areas. This applies, for example, to the Design PUE. It is also regrettable that the flat-rate ERF values are still included in the law.

date 2025/12/15

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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