Policy & Law

eco on the State of the Union: “Europe must pursue a more opportunity-oriented policy that does not stifle innovations like AI”

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen today delivered a State of the Union speech, highlighting that Europe must be a pioneer in AI and stand for transparent, ethical development. eco Chair of the Board Oliver Süme is of the opinion that the Commission President focused too excessively on the potential dangers of AI and digital technologies.

date 2023/09/13

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Policy & Law

eco on the Ruling of the German Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig: SpaceNet Data Retention Lawsuit

Following the long-awaited ruling by the European Court of Justice on 22 September last year, which stated that the German regulations on data retention are incompatible with EU law, the German Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig has now also issued its verdict. eco Chair of the Board Oliver Süme calls on the German federal government on the occasion of the ruling: “The German federal government should now finally seize the opportunity to set a political course and initiate the repeal of data retention.”

date 2023/09/07

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Policy & Law

eco on the German KRITIS Umbrella Act: Eliminate Double Regulations and Legal Uncertainties

The German Federal Ministry of the Interior aims to strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructures with the KRITIS Umbrella Act, which is currently being coordinated between government departments. For the first time, this act seeks to establish the nationwide uniform regulations for the physical protection of critical facilities, which are to be implemented in German law as a result of the European CER Directive.

date 2023/09/05

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Policy & Law

eco on the German Federal Government’s Data Strategy: “More momentum with the data policy”

The new Data Strategy has been finalised by the German federal government and could be adopted by the cabinet today. eco Chair of the Board Oliver Süme is of the opinion that uniform and legally secure handling of data is essential for all data-based business models, which is why the German federal government’s Data Strategy is long since overdue.

date 2023/08/30

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Policy & Law

A Year into the German Digital Strategy: Majority of the Population Sees No Progress in Digital Transformation

In presenting the German Digital Strategy a year ago, the German federal government's aim was to create a digital awakening. However, a year into the Digital Strategy, the majority of the population in Germany believes that the federal government has not yet made much progress in the area of digital transformation. This has been displayed by a recent representative survey conducted by the market and opinion research institute Civey on behalf of eco Association.

date 2023/08/29

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Policy & Law

eco on the Application Launch of the Digital Services Act: “Internet service providers are already combatting illegal content on their platforms out of their own interest”

The Digital Services Act (DSA) was passed in the EU Parliament in November 2022 and is intended to set the standards for a safer and more open digital space for users and a level playing field for companies within the EU in the coming years.  Among other insights, eco Chair of the Board Oliver Süme has the following to say: “Internet service providers are already combatting illegal content on their platforms out of their own interest."

date 2023/08/25

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eco

88.1 Per Cent of Germans Would Like to See Better Digital Education in Schools

There is a lot of room for improvement in the teaching of digital skills in German schools: 88.1 per cent of Germans would like to see better digital education in schools, but a breakthrough is not to be expected with the start of the new school year 2023/2024.

date 2023/08/22

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Policy & Law

eco Association: Current Budget Plans Jeopardise Germany as a Digital Location

eco denounces the German federal government’s current budget plans, which are set to have only a fraction of financial resources spent on digitalisation projects in the coming year.

date 2023/08/03

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Policy & Law

Share Holiday Family Photos Safely: eco Association Gives 5 Tips

Approximately one in ten (10.8 percent) post photos via social media channels such as Instagram or Facebook. Additionally, 10.6 percent send photos via email and 4.4 percent have photos printed online via print services. These are the findings of a representative survey conducted by the opinion research institute Civey on behalf of eco – Association of the Internet Industry, involving 2,500 Germans over the age of 18.

date 2023/08/02

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Policy & Law

NIS2 Directive: eco Calls for Precise Group of Addressees and Reduction of Bureaucratic Burden for Affected Companies

eco Board Member for Infrastructure and Networks Klaus Landefeld comments on the present draft bill of the German Federal Ministry of the Interior for the transposition of the European NIS2 Directive.

date 2023/07/21

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Policy & Law

eco on the KRITIS Umbrella Act

Klaus Landefeld, eco Board Member criticises lack of coordination and consultation by the German federal government on new regulations for critical infrastructures.

date 2023/07/18

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Policy & Law

eco Association on the Transatlantic Data Privacy Framework

On 10 July, the EU Commission determined that the Transatlantic Data Privacy Framework is in line with the requirements of European data protection. eco's Managing Director Alexander Rabe comments: "[The TDPF is] an important building block for a successful digital transformation and the basis for further regulations such as the EU-US e-Evidence Agreement."

date 2023/07/11

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Datacenter

Energy Efficiency Act: eco Alliance Welcomes Amendment Motion of the Coalition’s Parliamentary Groups

Dr Béla Waldhauser, spokesperson for the Alliance for the Strengthening of Digital Infrastructures in Germany comments on this week's last minute amendments to the German federal government’s draft bill for the planned Energy Efficiency Act.

date 2023/07/07

press

Policy & Law

eco Takes Stock After One Year of Gigabit Strategy: Financing security & reduction of bureaucracy are now the set screws for accelerated network expansion

The Gigabit Strategy, which was adopted by the German federal government a year ago, is intended to be a compass for fibre-optic and mobile expansion in Germany.

date 2023/07/04

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Policy & Law

eco on eIDAS: “User-friendliness and open standards are crucial to promoting the acceptance of digital identities”

eco supports the European initiative for an ID Wallet in principle; a reliable and secure ecosystem of digital identities lays the foundation for the realisation of the Single Market and a multitude of digital business models. At the same time, the association addresses important aspects that should be taken into account.

date 2023/07/03

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