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

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

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

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

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