Policy & Law

eco Survey on Data Protection: Rigid Regulations Inhibit...

eco Survey: 46% of company decision-makers think that German companies have a locational disadvantage due to data protection Digital single market in Europe rather than patchwork data protection Digital innovation in Germany is impeded by existing data protection regulations Consistent data protection...

date 2017/07/31

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Policy & Law

eco on Germany’s Application for the Organization of the...

“There is evident engagement on the part of the the German federal government with regard to an international exchange on network policy issues – also beyond the end of the current legislative term – which clearly shows the international political status of a debate concerning freedom and openness in the Internet....

date 2017/07/20

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Policy & Law

New Digital Commissioner Gabriel Expecting Challenging Agenda

On the confirmation of the new EU Digital Commissioner Marija Gabriel by the EU Parliament, eco Director of Policy & Law Oliver Süme says: “With the Digital Portfolio, Marija Gabriel is taking on an especially innovative and above all dynamic portfolio with great importance for Europe as an industry location. The...

date 2017/07/05

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© eco - Verband der Internetwirtschaft e.V.

Policy & Law

eco Welcomes Federal Network Agency Decision: Blanket Data...

The Higher Administrative Court of North Rhine-Westphalia decided last week, in its resolution on 22 June 2017, that blanket data retention does not comply with European Union law. The Internet provider SpaceNet, supported by eco, had taken legal action back in April 2016. Today, the German Federal Network Agency for Electricity,...

date 2017/06/28

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© eco - Verband der Internetwirtschaft e.V.

Policy & Law

eco: State Trojan Must Not Undermine IT Security on the...

On the legislative amendment concluded yesterday in the German federal parliament for the use of so-called “State Trojans” for the surveillance of messenger services on smartphones, eco Director Professor Dr. Norbert Pohlmann comments: “Similar to what we have already seen with blanket data retention, we are again...

date 2017/06/23

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Policy & Law

The Brakes are on for Blanket Data Retention: Case Supported...

Higher Administrative Court decision in the German state of NRW: SpaceNet AG not obligated to retain telecommunications data of customers Important signal for entire Internet sector Concerns about European law: Blanket data retention encroaches fundamental rights Blanket data retention is not compatible with European...

date 2017/06/22

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Policy & Law

eco on the German Act for Law Enforcement in Social Networks:...

On the occasion of the German Legal Affairs Committee’s public hearing on the planned “Act for the Improvement of Law Enforcement in Social Networks”, eco – Association of the Internet Industry points again forcefully to its position on the proposed legislation, and emphasizes: “Political responsibility also...

date 2017/06/19

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Policy & Law

eco Survey: German Economy Needs a More Innovative and Investment-Friendly...

Reduction of bureaucracy: 44 percent of German decision-makers see the need for more action 45 percent of companies consider the German legal framework to not be innovation-friendly eco once again a core member of the BMWi Advisory Board „Young Digital Economy“ Despite all the political advances in business...

date 2017/05/22

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© eco - Verband der Internetwirtschaft e.V.

Policy & Law

Cyber Attack WannaCry: German Federal Govt Should Implement Cyber Security Strategy

On the current debates in connection with the cyber attack “WannaCry” last weekend, Prof. Norbert Pohlmann, eco Director for IT Security, says: “The calls from German ministries and parties for legislative measures are too short-sighted and offer no solution. What we need instead is consistent IT security management...

date 2017/05/15

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© eco - Verband der Internetwirtschaft e.V.

Policy & Law

Mid-term Review for the European Digital Agenda: eco Criticizes Inconsistencies and Lack of Care

Today the European Commission is due to issue its mid-term review for the EU Agenda for the Digital Single Market. eco Director of Policy & Law, Oliver Süme, comments: “The European Commission has recognized the numerous challenges posed by digitalization and is dedicated to following its vision of a common European...

date 2017/05/09

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© eco - Verband der Internetwirtschaft e.V.

Policy & Law

eco Criticizes Proposed Law Against Hate Speech: “When in doubt, against the freedom of opinion”

Law encourages indiscriminate culture of deletion in the Internet Rather fast than thorough: notification before the end of the consultation period Sufficient legal regulation, enforcement must remain with the state The draft legislation presented by the German Federal Justice Minister for the so-called “Netzwerkdurchsetzungsgesetz”...

date 2017/03/31

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Policy & Law

Annual Report 2016: Successful Work at the eco Complaints Office

Findings for 2016: 78% of the justified complaints worldwide were removed from the Internet Between freedom of expression and criminal law in times of hate speech & co Combating illegal content is a task for the whole of society The eco Complaints Office has for the first time published an Annual...

date 2017/03/07

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Policy & Law

European Copyright Law: eco Study Questions the Planned Copyright Reform

EU ancillary copyright law could slow down innovation in digitalization Missed target: The Commission’s proposal is one-sided and unbalanced The draft law is not compatible with European fundamental rights European ancillary copyright is no longer up to date, given recent rapid technological developments....

date 2017/02/28

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Policy & Law

EU Must Adapt its Old Satellite and Cable Directive to the Digital Age

In an overarching statement, German associations demand a 10-point approach to technology and infrastructure neutrality Ten years ago, TV consumption predominantly took place in front of the television – whereas today, consumer behavior has profoundly changed in light of modern technologies. The present-day TV consumer...

date 2017/02/08

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Policy & Law

Digital Infrastructure Policy: More Than Just Broadband Expansion

2017 is election year in Germany; but despite this, the federal government should still continue to push for concrete objectives in Internet policy in the coming months, and not simply get into campaign mode. This was stressed by Michael Rotert, eco Chairman of the Board, at the eco New Year’s reception in Berlin yesterday. Rotert...

date 2017/01/25

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