eco on Planned Reform of the German Network Enforcement Act (NetzDG): “Social networks confronted anew with great legal uncertainty”
Law & Regulation

eco Association Cautions Lawmakers Against a Rushed-Through Anti-Hate Law

In light of the attack on the U.S. Capitol, the German federal government plans to have the “repaired” version of the law on combating right-wing extremism and hate crime on the Internet confirmed by the Bundestag in an expedited procedure before the end of January. The eco Association views the events in Washington with the utmost gravity, but takes a critical stance on the expedited procedure for a law that has been deemed questionable under constitutional law.  
date 2021/01/11
press
The Fight Against Terrorism Should Not Happen at the Expense of the Security of All
Law & Regulation

eco on the German Telecommunications Act: “Federal Government Jeopardising 5G Roll-out”

The German Telecommunications Act is to be fundamentally reformed within this legislative term and an updated version of a joint draft act has just been published. eco denounces the overall chaotic legislative process which is occurring at the expense of content-related diligence and appropriate consultation with associations. In particular, eco criticises the fact that the amended act will create a new class of protection that will essentially place service providers under an increased level of risk.
date 2020/12/15
press
European Copyright Law Including Upload Filter Is On Its Way: “This Decision Will Fundamentally Change the Internet”
Law & Regulation

eco Critical of German Draft Copyright Law: A Brake on Innovation Instead of Fair Balance of Interests

On 16 December, the German Federal Cabinet intends to vote on the draft law to implement the EU Copyright Directive. The eco Association continues to take a very critical stance on the draft law: from the association’s point of view, the planned regulations endanger Europe’s digital innovative power without leading to more fairness in the use of intellectual property on the Internet.
date 2020/12/09
press
RA Oliver J. Süme 2
Law & Regulation

German Telecommunications Act: eco Criticises Tight Deadline and Lack of Coordination in Planned Reform of Act

With the presentation of a joint draft, two German Ministries are seeking to fundamentally reform the Telecommunications Act (TKG) and to thereby transpose the European Code for Electronic Communications within this legislative term. eco is deeply critical of the fact that only a 14-day period has been granted for positions on the discussion draft - especially given that this draft features substantial gaps.
date 2020/11/18
press
eco on the US Presidential Election: “America must once again become a reliable counterpart and economic partner”
Law & Regulation

eco on the US Presidential Election: “America must once again become a reliable counterpart and economic partner”

America has voted.  On the topic of the 59th US presidential election, eco Chair of the Board Oliver Süme says: “For many decades, the relationship between the USA and Germany has been characterised by intensive economic and social interaction. This transatlantic relationship must be reactivated and strengthened over the next four years."
date 2020/11/04
press
eco Welcomes the German Federal Network Agency’s Security Catalogue: Transparent 5G Network Roll-out Without Discrimination
Law & Regulation

eco on Act for the Protection of the Constitution: Online State searches are coming after all, weakening confidence in digital technologies

The draft law passed today obliges Internet providers and telecommunications companies to cooperate with the German Federal Intelligence Service (BND) and the authorities for the protection of the constitution: In future, companies will be obliged to route “suspicious” data packets to the authorities, who will then subsequently send them on to the actual recipient.
date 2020/10/21
press
eco on the Conference of EU Digital Ministers: GAIA-X Should Adopt an International Form
Cloud Computing

eco on the Conference of EU Digital Ministers: GAIA-X Should Adopt an International Form

At a virtual conference of European digital ministers being held today, an agreement is to be reached on the merging of European cloud capacities. For the Association of the Internet Industry, GAIA-X is considered to be a flagship project in this realm, offering the potential to fully exploit the opportunities of the data economy while at the same time making a reality out of the Digital Single Market.
date 2020/10/15
press
eco on Planned Reform of the German Network Enforcement Act (NetzDG): “Social networks confronted anew with great legal uncertainty”
Law & Regulation

eco on the German Draft Law for New Copyright: Upload Filters and Requirements for Platform Providers Remain Disproportionate

The eco Association has criticized the draft law presented yesterday by the German Federal Ministry of Justice (BMJV) for the transposition of the EU copyright reform. The draft has not been calibrated with the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), puts technical filters back in the spotlight, and still contains impracticable regulations for service providers.
date 2020/10/14
press
eco Association on the German Network Enforcement Act: Federal Government MustImprove Legislative Package in Conformance with the Constitution and Data Protection
Law & Regulation

eco Association on the German Network Enforcement Act: Federal Government Must Improve Legislative Package

Owing to constitutional concerns, German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has for the moment suspended the drafting of the law on combating right-wing extremism and hate crime. Going back a number of months, eco – Association of the Internet Industry had already expressed considerable constitutional and data protection concerns about the draft law.
date 2020/10/12
press