Datacenter

eco Alliance on the German Energy Efficiency Act Amendment Bill: German Federal Government Must Now Prioritise Implementability

The German Federal Cabinet approved the draft bill to amend the German Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG) on 22 May 2024. The Alliance for the Strengthening of Digital Infrastructures in Germany is in favour of using the opportunity to implement measures for a more realistic implementation of the requirements and international comparability in addition to the formal adjustments to align the EnEfG with the reporting obligations of the European Energy Efficiency Directive (EED).

date 2024/05/26

press

Policy & Law

eco on the EU Member States’ Vote on the AI Act: Harmonised Interpretation is Essential for the Act’s Effectiveness

Today, the EU Member States are set to finalise the AI Act. With this law, the European Union has become the first international entity to create a comprehensive set of rules for the regulation of AI. Its key to success entails harmonised interpretation and implementation.

date 2024/05/21

press

Policy & Law

75 Years of the German Basic Law: 47 Per Cent of Germans See Fundamental Rights on the Internet Jeopardised by State Surveillance

The fundamental rights enshrined in the German Basic Law also apply in virtual space – in spite of the fact that the Internet did not yet exist when the Basic Law was proclaimed in 1949. However, many people feel that their civil rights are jeopardised in the virtual space. eco Association calls for a comprehensive repeal of data retention and highlights that there must be no restrictions on the encryption of electronic communication or stored data in the future.

date 2024/05/21

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eco

eco Survey on the EU Election: Only 4 Per Cent of Germans Consider the EU Currently Leading in Digitalisation

eco Association presents a digital policy opinion poll on the European elections: For around a quarter of voters, digital policy is relevant to their voting decision.

date 2024/05/07

press

Policy & Law

eco: The Digital Ministers’ Conference of the Federal States Must See Itself as the Speedboat for Digitalisation in Germany

At the meeting of the D16 – the digital ministers of the German federal states – the digital policy cooperation of the federal states was newly institutionalised.

date 2024/04/18

press

Policy & Law

Possible Agreement on the German Quick Freeze Procedure: eco Calls for Consistent Repeal of Data Retention

The German traffic light coalition parties have claimed to reach a compromise on investigative measures on the Internet. While politicians have kept citizens and companies waiting for more than a decade since the introduction of illegal data retention, the ‘Quick Freeze’ procedure could now finally establish a legal framework that complies with civil rights.

date 2024/04/10

press

Policy & Law

Passage of the Digital Services Act (DDG): eco Association emphasises significance for companies and consumers, but criticises the blocking of Internet content

The German Bundestag passed the German Digital Services Act (DDG) on 21 March 2024. The eco Aassociation takes a critical view of the fact that legislators are sticking to the blocking of Internet content provided for in the German Telemedia Act (TMG).

date 2024/03/22

press

Policy & Law

eco Survey: Every Second Person Sees Growing Educational Opportunities through Digitalisation

People in Germany see particularly strong potential in the education and health sectors, according to a representative survey of the population conducted by the market and opinion research institute Civey on behalf of eco – Association of the Internet Industry.

date 2024/03/21

press

Policy & Law

eco on the Super Election Year 2024: “Those in Germany who want to pursue digital policy with integrity cannot cooperate with the AfD”

The year 2024 marks a decisive chapter in Europe’s political landscape, characterised by the forthcoming EU elections and the elections in various EU states, which reflect the rise of right-wing populist movements. eco Association is now reaffirming its clear stance against cooperation with the AfD.

date 2024/03/14

press

Policy & Law

eco on the AI Act Vote in the EU Parliament

As the final AI Act vote takes place in the EU Parliament, eco emphasises the need for a uniform interpretation and application of the law.

date 2024/03/13

press

Policy & Law

eco Survey: Around 36 Per Cent of Germans Have Never Used Digital Administrative Services

Citizens in Germany currently only use very few online administrative services. This is revealed in a recent representative survey conducted by the market and opinion research institute Civey on behalf of eco – Association of the Internet Industry.

date 2024/02/21

press

Policy & Law

eco Association on International Digital Strategy: “German federal government must now bring strategy to life”

Today, the German Federal Cabinet adopted the international digital strategy. eco – Association of the Internet Industry welcomes the fact that the strategy is oriented towards a value-based approach in global digital policy, but at the same time calls for a timely design with concrete goals and measures.

date 2024/02/07

press

Policy & Law

eco Association on the AI Act: Harmonised Transposition is Crucial for Europe’s Competitiveness as a Digital Location

On the occasion of today’s vote on the AI Act in the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the EU Member States, eco – Association of the Internet Industry calls for a practical transposition and EU-wide harmonised criteria for dealing with AI systems.

date 2024/02/02

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Artificial Intelligence

eco Association on the AI Act: EU and Germany Must Not Repeat Mistakes of GDPR

Based on the latest developments, Germany is expected to approve the current draft of the AI Act this coming Friday. eco Association advocates for a real-world transposition and EU-wide standardised criteria in dealing with AI systems.

date 2024/01/31

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Policy & Law

eco Association on the Budget Debate: “Cutting back on the digital budget means cutting back on our future viability”

Today, the German Bundestag begins its deliberations on the 2024 federal budget and the German federal government’s financial planning for the period up to 2027. In this context, eco Chair Oliver Süme cautions against any further cuts in funding for the implementation of digitalisation plans and projects.

date 2024/01/30

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