The new members+ member portal enables direct interaction and collaboration for the eco community in the digital space and provides access to exclusive information and material. After the first few months, eco’s Managing Director Andreas Weiss takes initial stock of the portal in an interview.

Data centres are a key growth driver for Germany as a business location. To enable Germany to realise the full potential of artificial intelligence and digital innovations, eco has formulated five key requirements for a data centre strategy of the German federal government.

With the Email Security Year 2025 initiative, the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), eco Association and Bitkom are sending a strong signal for secure digital communication. At the heart of the initiative is the newly established “Hall of Fame”, which at its launch includes around 120 companies.

eco Association warns against recent plans presented for three-month IP storage obligation. eco Chair Oliver Süme sees this as a clear violation of European law, massive infringements of fundamental rights, and offering no real added value for investigations. Rather than billions of data mountains without added value, the association calls for rule-of-law alternatives such as the Quick Freeze model.

Measures to protect sensitive data are no longer sufficient when it comes to the security of connected vehicles. A “digital airbag” is needed, says member of the Advisory Board of the eco Mobility Competence Group, Dr. Julian Weber. Why? He provides an initial overview of the topic in this interview. Find out more in his presentation at the eco Internet Security Days (ISDs) 2025.

In 2024, the eco Complaints Office team examined a total of 25,893 reports of potentially criminal or youth protection-related Internet content. As in previous years, sexualised violence against children and young people accounted for the largest share of reports, making up around 82%. The Annual Report of the eco Complaints Office 2024 shows that 99% of the content reported to the Complaints Office was removed.

Transparency creates trust. For many years now, the eco Complaints Office has therefore been reporting transparently on its working approach and its successes in the fight against illegal Internet content. Download the 2024 Annual Report now.

The eco Association takes stock of digital policy after 100 days of the new German federal government. Although the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs has fulfilled a long-standing demand of the industry, many core digital projects have not yet crossed the starting line. eco sees urgent need for action, particularly in the areas of AI, data centres, administrative digitisation and data protection. eco also critically evaluates the plans for data retention in the new security package.

In this eco interview, Martin Küchenthal, Managing Director of LEMARIT, explains why a stable and secure digital brand identity is so important. He also talks about current dangers in the digital space and how artificial intelligence can make the work of specialists easier.