Dokumenter - Think Tank - Europa-Parlamentet

Oversigt - Strategic dependencies: Threats to EU sovereignty in communication infrastructure - 05-02-2025

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 13:17:41 GMT

Rising geopolitical tensions and dependencies on digital infrastructure belonging to foreign providers are triggering concerns that the European Union's technological sovereignty might be under threat. Connectivity infrastructure such as submarine cables, mobile technologies and satellites underpin the digital services used by EU citizens, businesses and governments. Being dependent on foreign providers of such infrastructure calls for a strategic approach to balancing technological efficiency with the public interest and national security.

Kilde : © Den Europæiske Union, 2025 - EP

Briefing - Online information manipulation and information integrity: An overview of key challenges, actors and the EU's evolving response - 30-09-2024

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 14:01:14 GMT

The global information ecosystem is facing challenges on various levels, necessitating a clear overview of the key issues at stake, the actors involved and possible European Union responses. On a geostrategic level, authoritarian state- and non-state actors, who work to game the open democratic information ecosystems in their favour, have gained the most visibility. At the same time, the tech companies that underpin those open information ecosystems – and that help provide the infrastructure used for information manipulation – are under pressure to take more responsibility. Evolving technologies can exacerbate the risks of information ecosystems working against democracy, rather than for it. Moreover, underlying societal, educational and economic vulnerabilities hamper both individual and collective resilience against information manipulation. The impact on health, societies, economies, democracy, international decision-making, security and human rights has become increasingly visible in recent years. Correspondingly, there is a growing sense of urgency to ensure information integrity, both in the context of elections and beyond. The EU has continued to strengthen its efforts to counter information manipulation and interference, including online disinformation, since 2015. The evolving measures have matured into a growing regulatory framework to address digital information infrastructure vulnerabilities and boost information ecosystems. This, in addition to strengthening societal resilience, involves a high level of cooperation and coordination within and beyond the EU, across all policy areas and with all levels of society. International and multilateral cooperation is therefore key to future-proofing the response.

Kilde : © Den Europæiske Union, 2024 - EP

Briefing - Gigabit infrastructure act - 20-06-2024

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 22:00:00 GMT

The EU's digital decade connectivity target is designed to ensure that by 2030 a fixed gigabit network of a very high capacity (1 Gbps) will be covering all EU households and that all populated areas will have 5G. This would enable the deployment of a high-quality digital infrastructure underpinning almost all sectors of a modern and innovative economy, while also ensuring that citizens and business can reap the benefits of the internet of things, machine-to-machine technologies, cloud computing and big data. In April 2024, the EU co-legislators signed the Gigabit Infrastructure Act (GIA), a regulation that reviewed and replaced the Broadband Cost Reduction Directive. The regulation should facilitate and encourage the provision of networks of a very high capacity by promoting the joint use of existing physical infrastructure and enabling a more efficient deployment of new physical infrastructure, so that such networks can be rolled out faster and at a lower cost. The GIA was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 8 May 2024 and entered into force on 11 May 2024. It will be fully applicable from November 2025. Second edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Kilde : © Den Europæiske Union, 2024 - EP

Briefing - Digital finance legislation: Overview and state of play - 16-05-2024

Wed, 15 May 2024 22:00:00 GMT

Digital finance can broadly be defined as financial services and instruments that use or are based on new information and communication technologies (ICT). A wide range of segments of the financial system are therefore concerned, from digital payment services to the new market infrastructures of crypto-assets using distributed ledger technologies (DLT). Policymakers expect digital finance to benefit the financial system – for example, in terms of transaction and settlement costs, as well as financial inclusion. However, digital finance also poses new risks, especially for financial stability and the protection of citizens. The idea behind the EU regulatory approach is that by providing a sound regulatory framework, homogenous throughout the EU, these risks can be monitored and controlled, while also favouring the desired innovation. To that end, the European Commission, together with the European supervisory authorities and the European Central Bank, conduct regular reviews of the EU regulatory framework and check its ability to face these risks and the potential needs for intervention. In 2020, the Commission tabled a major digital finance strategy to provide a sound, EU-level regulatory and supervisory framework in a number of digital finance domains. The EU has already adopted new laws resulting from this initiative. The Regulation on Markets in Crypto-assets is establishing a new legal environment for DLT-based 'coins' with a stable value ('stablecoins'); another regulation will provide a framework for the monitoring and control of digital operational resilience for the financial sector. More legislative procedures are ongoing in the fields of open finance and the digital euro. New directions are being suggested, such as the establishment of a 'unified ledger', to smoothen transfers between instruments using different DLT market infrastructure.

Kilde : © Den Europæiske Union, 2024 - EP

Studie - Law and ICT - 30-04-2024

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 22:00:00 GMT

Exponential progress in the area of ICT improves access to data and information, which in its turn can lead to greater accessibility, reduced complexity, efficiency and respect of fundamental rights in policy, law making and implementation of law. Drafting and publication of laws need to be reformed from paper based format to modern digital media. Expertise, evidence and data should constitute mandatory elements of policy and law making. Ex-post quantified evaluation of legislation needs to be applied consistently. This study was prepared by the European �Ϸ��վ’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI Committee.

Kilde : © Den Europæiske Union, 2024 - EP

Briefing - Cyber solidarity act - 13-02-2024

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 23:00:00 GMT

Russia's war against Ukraine has revealed the extent of our dependency on digital technology and the fragility of the digital space. It has triggered a surge in cyberattacks that have been particularly disruptive when targeting critical infrastructure – such as energy, health or finance – because of the increasing reliance on information technology, rendering this infrastructure all the more vulnerable. Against this backdrop, the Commission has proposed a regulation on a cyber solidarity act that would address the urgent need to strengthen solidarity and EU capacities to detect, prepare for and respond to cybersecurity threats and incidents. The proposed regulation envisages the establishment of a framework based on three pillars. The first is a European cyber shield – a platform of national and cross-border security operations centres. The second is a cybersecurity emergency mechanism that would support – including financially – preparedness, response and mutual assistance actions among Member States by creating a European cybersecurity reserve of trusted providers. The third is a cybersecurity incident review mechanism to assess and review significant or large-scale incidents. In �Ϸ��վ, the file was assigned to the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), where Lina Gálvez Muñoz (S&D, Spain) was appointed rapporteur. The Council and the �Ϸ��վ are currently in negotiations to finalise the text. Second edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Kilde : © Den Europæiske Union, 2024 - EP

Studie - The use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware - The existing legal framework in EU Member States for the acquisition and use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware - 05-12-2022

Sun, 04 Dec 2022 23:00:00 GMT

This study, commissioned by the European �Ϸ��վ’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the Committee of Inquiry to investigate the use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware (PEGA), provides a description of the legal framework (including oversight and redress mechanisms) governing the use of Pegasus and equivalent spyware in a selection of Member States.

Kilde : © Den Europæiske Union, 2022 - EP

Oversigt - Digital operational resilience act (DORA) - 07-11-2022

Sun, 06 Nov 2022 23:00:00 GMT

The Single Rulebook – encompassing all EU legislation governing financial institutions – barely touches on operational risks relating to information and communications technologies (ICT). In September 2020, the Commission tabled a proposal for a regulation on the digital operational resilience of the financial sector (DORA), to introduce and harmonise key digital operational requirements across the EU, so as to make ICT operations resilient in the face of severe operational disruption and cyber-attacks.

Kilde : © Den Europæiske Union, 2022 - EP

Oversigt - Amending digital operational requirements in financial services legislation - 07-11-2022

Sun, 06 Nov 2022 23:00:00 GMT

On 24 September 2020, the Commission submitted a proposal for a directive amending a number of existing directives governing the regulation and supervision of the financial system, with a view to tackling risks related to information and communications technologies (ICT). The proposal is part of the digital finance package whose overarching objective is to promote innovation and competition in digital finance while mitigating the risks.

Kilde : © Den Europæiske Union, 2022 - EP

Briefing - Multilateral initiatives for upholding human rights in digital technologies: A task for the UN or for liberal democracies? - 21-04-2022

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 22:00:00 GMT

With their rapid advancement in recent times, digital technologies have undeniably had major positive and also negative impacts on human rights. They have offered people better opportunities to communicate and exchange information, thereby empowering them to exercise their right to freedom of expression and association, among others, and to draw public attention to human rights violations. On the other hand, they have enabled disinformation, cyber-surveillance and abusive behaviour, such as hate speech, cyber-crime and misuse of personal data. There is a broad consensus that the same human rights and human rights obligations that apply offline also apply in the digital environment. However, new technologies are creating a fundamentally different paradigm for human interaction, and the current international human rights framework has conceptual gaps. The main question for the international debate is how to fill these gaps. Through soft ethical standards or binding rules? What is the best forum for this? While the UN is best placed, given its universal scope, it has been weakened by the actions of authoritarian states. Multilateral coalitions of democratic states are an alternative avenue, but they bring a risk of fragmentation of the global space for digital technologies. When looking at how human rights play out in the digital context, it is important to carefully balance the benefits and risks of new technologies, to apply a multi-stakeholder approach, and to bear in mind that human rights obligations, while still incumbent on states as the main duty bearers, also apply to businesses, particularly those behind new technological developments. The EU is involved in the discussions on the above issues, both in the UN and in coalitions of liberal democracies. In parallel, the EU is working on developing guidance and binding norms on how human rights obligations apply at EU and national level with respect to the digital environment.

Kilde : © Den Europæiske Union, 2022 - EP

Briefing - Intelligent transport systems and multimodal ticketing - Pre-legislative synthesis of national, regional and local positions on the European Commission's initiative - 16-11-2021

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 23:00:00 GMT

This Briefing forms part of an EPRS series which offers a synthesis of the pre-legislative state-of-play and advance consultation on a range of key European Commission priorities during the latter's five-year term in office. It seeks to summarise the state of affairs in the relevant policy field, examine how existing policy is working on the ground, and identify best practice and ideas for the future on the part of governmental organisations at all levels of European system of multilevel governance. An EPRS analysis of the positions of partner governmental organisations at EU, national, regional and local levels suggests that they would like the following main considerations to be reflected in the discussion on the revision of the Directive on Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), including a multimodal ticketing initiative: * The current ITS framework, developed through delegated regulations, has to be evaluated and gaps corrected. The new rules' coherence with existing European Union legislation (e.g. competition law, public service obligations, data sharing, passenger rights) should be ensured. Future ITS developments should take better account of regional and local authorities' experience, as exemplified here. * ITS services' interoperability, based on common EU-wide standards and cooperation, should be ensured, given that current ITS standards differ greatly between and within EU Member States. Best-practice solutions from the local level should be replicable and systems better shared. Cross-border continuity must be guaranteed. * The role of public authorities in the provision of multimodal transport services through digital platforms needs to be clarified (legal framework, involvement in privately driven initiatives, etc.). The ITS framework should propose an attractive environment for investment and innovation to all stakeholders, especially those operating at local and regional levels. * Governmental organisations favour open data and digitalisation, but warn of related costs. Rules are needed on data management, opening access to data and sharing the costs that arise from the production of transport-related public sector data. Security and privacy must be preserved. * Before expanding data collection obligations, the extent to which the (often locally) collected data is actually reused and how ITS services help improve mobility should be evaluated. Any new obligations placed on the local and regional levels should be accompanied by financial support.

Kilde : © Den Europæiske Union, 2021 - EP

Oversigt - Research for REGI Committee - Artificial Intelligence and Urban Development - 15-09-2021

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 22:00:00 GMT

This At a glance note summarises the research paper that explores the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in urban areas, and its impact on socio-economic and territorial cohesion. The research paper argues that expectations surrounding AI are high, especially in the context of smart-city initiatives, but that the actual benefits are yet to be fully assessed. To avoid potential risks, local and urban authorities need to fulfil a series of conditions that are inherently challenging. The EU’s AI Policy and its Cohesion Policy, in particular, may help, but they need to address the territorial dimension of AI more explicitly.

Kilde : © Den Europæiske Union, 2021 - EP

Oversigt - The right to disconnect - 13-01-2021

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 09:29:47 GMT

In the context of the digital transformation in the world of work, the European �Ϸ��վ's Employment and Social Affairs Committee has adopted a legislative-initiative report calling on the Commission to propose an EU directive that lays down minimum requirements for the right to disconnect. The practice of remote working through digital tools intensified through the coronavirus lockdown measures has drawn increasing attention to the issues of constant connectivity and the blurring boundaries between working and non-working time. �Ϸ��վ is expected to vote on this legislative initiative during its January 2021 plenary session.

Kilde : © Den Europæiske Union, 2021 - EP

Briefing - Strengthening digital operational resilience in the financial sector - 11-12-2020

Thu, 10 Dec 2020 23:00:00 GMT

This briefing provides an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the European Commission's impact assessment (IA) accompanying Commission proposals to strengthen digital operational resilience in the EU, which are part of the digital finance package. The IA would have benefited from a more balanced set of options, and it would have been useful to further clarify the arguments supporting the choice between options 2 and 3. The assessment of social impacts is very limited, and the competitiveness aspect raised could also have been discussed at greater length. The IA estimates that the initiative would benefit SMEs in terms of reduced administrative burden and improved capacity to operate in a cross-border context. In addition to the qualitative assessment, the IA provides quantified estimates, openly recognising some data limitations.

Kilde : © Den Europæiske Union, 2020 - EP

Briefing - Next generation or lost generation? Children, young people and the pandemic - 10-12-2020

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 23:00:00 GMT

The next generation, sometimes referred to as 'Generation Z' or 'Gen Z', includes children and young people born after 1995/1996. Also known as the 'iGeneration' they are the first digital natives: they have grown up with smartphones and tablets, and most have internet access at home. While, in the EU, they are the most diverse generation when it comes to their origins, and best educated, in terms of level of education, they are the most vulnerable, including on the labour market. They are the generation most at risk of poverty, and worst affected by the lack of intergenerational earning mobility. In addition, they have been hardest hit by the coronavirus crisis, following school closures and also job losses. The negative trends this generation was facing prior to the pandemic solidified during the outbreak and the lockdown measures. The well-being, educational success and labour market integration of this generation have a major impact on the general well-being of society, as well as on productivity growth, and thus on the entire economy now and in the future. It will, however, be another 15 years before this generation, along with the 'Millennials' (born between 1981 and 1995/1996) form the majority in the voting age population across the EU, and their views, expectations and attitudes are taken into consideration when designing policies. In this context, policies must address Generation Z from a young age as active citizens who need to be both protected and empowered. In the von der Leyen Commission more than half the Commissioners have been entrusted with tasks that directly address challenges for this generation, ranging from access to quality education, health, housing, nutrition and labour markets to combating poverty and protecting children's and young people's rights. This is an opportunity to design comprehensive policies that cut across sectors and that address the entire generation under the age of 22/24 in a multidimensional way. It is also a way to include children and young people in the democratic process and monitor their progress across multiple indicators in relation to the United Nations sustainable development goals. Stronger pro-child and pro-youth policies can help to achieve more balanced and efficient welfare states that genuinely protect the entire population.

Kilde : © Den Europæiske Union, 2020 - EP

Oversigt - Online Platforms’ Moderation of Illegal Content Online - 15-10-2020

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 22:00:00 GMT

The original full study reviews and assesses the EU regulatory framework on content moderation and current practices by key online platforms. It assesses the regulation in six countries/regions and makes recommendations to improve the EU legal framework on content moderation in the context of the forthcoming Digital Services Act.

Kilde : © Den Europæiske Union, 2020 - EP

Oversigt - Study in focus: Regulatory Sandboxes and Innovation Hubs for FinTech - 15-10-2020

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 22:00:00 GMT

The original full study analyses the design and operation of regulatory sandboxes and innovation hubs as part of jurisdictions’ regulatory response to financial innovation, focusing on the models adopted in the EU and the EFTA countries. This document was prepared by the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies at the request of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON).

Kilde : © Den Europæiske Union, 2020 - EP

Oversigt - EU-India: Cooperation on digitalisation - 12-10-2020

Sun, 11 Oct 2020 22:00:00 GMT

A 'human-centric digitalisation to develop inclusive economies and societies' is the main concept behind the digital transformation of both the EU and India. During their July 2020 summit, the two agreed to promote global digitalisation standards characterised by 'safe and ethical deployment'. Their flagship initiatives – the EU digital single market and 'Digital India' – make them natural partners in the promotion of these global standards. Yet, if their ICT cooperation is to make sound progress, some of Delhi's protectionist policies need further consideration.

Kilde : © Den Europæiske Union, 2020 - EP

Briefing - Understanding the EU's approach to cyber diplomacy and cyber defence - 28-05-2020

Wed, 27 May 2020 22:00:00 GMT

Despite its expertise in cyber public awareness campaigns, research and development, and educational programmes, the EU is still subject to constant cyber attacks. The EU's response to a sophisticated cyber threat spectrum is comprehensive, but perhaps the most European aspect of its toolbox is cyber diplomacy. Cyber diplomacy aims to secure multilateral agreements on cyber norms, responsible state and non-state behaviour in cyberspace, and effective global digital governance. The goal is to create an open, free, stable and secure cyberspace anchored in international law through alliances between like-minded countries, organisations, the private sector, civil society and experts. Cyber diplomacy coexists with its sister strands of cyber defence, cyber deterrence and cybersecurity. Offensive cyber actors are growing in diversity, sophistication and number. Disruptive technologies powered by machine-learning and artificial intelligence pose both risks and opportunities for cyber defences: while attacks are likely to increase in complexity and make attribution ever more problematic, responses and defences will equally become more robust. Burning issues demanding the international community's attention include an emerging digital arms race and the need to regulate dual-use export control regimes and clarify the rules of engagement in cyber warfare. Multilateral cyber initiatives are abundant, but they are developing simultaneously with a growing push for sovereignty in the digital realm. The race for cyber superiority, if left unchecked, could develop into a greater security paradox. The EU's cyber diplomacy toolbox and its bi- and multilateral engagements are already contributing to a safer and more principled cyberspace. Its effectiveness however hinges on genuine European and global cooperation for the common cyber good. Ultimately, the EU's ambition to become more capable, by becoming 'strategically autonomous' or 'technologically sovereign', also rests on credible cyber defence and diplomacy.

Kilde : © Den Europæiske Union, 2020 - EP

Briefing - The mental health of workers in the digital era - 15-01-2020

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 23:00:00 GMT

This briefing aims to provide EMPL Committee Members (and other readers) with an insight into how recent technical innovation and its pace affect the mental well-being of workers. It summarises the findings of the relevant literature and identifies areas requiring further research or data collection.

Kilde : © Den Europæiske Union, 2020 - EP

Oversigt - Cyber: How big is the threat? - 09-07-2019

Tue, 09 Jul 2019 16:00:25 GMT

The internet has transformed the world into a global village transcending physical borders and palpable distances. Often described as 'fog' or a 'globalised network of networks', cyberspace is extremely complex, accessible to everyone and difficult to pinpoint. While thanks to these characteristics cyberspace has opened countless social, economic and political opportunities, it has also become a source of disruption, conflict and geopolitical rivalries. The European Union has recognised that cyber-security and cyber-defence are critical for both its prosperity and security, and is emerging as an increasingly capable cyber player.

Kilde : © Den Europæiske Union, 2019 - EP

Briefing - Fintech (financial technology) and the European Union: State of play and outlook - 12-02-2019

Tue, 12 Feb 2019 13:11:06 GMT

The financial technology (fintech) sector encompasses firms that use technology-based systems either to provide financial services and products directly, or to make the financial system more efficient. Fintech is a rapidly growing sector: in the first half of 2018, investment in fintech companies in Europe alone reached US$26 billion. The fintech sector brings rewards including innovation and job creation, but also challenges, such as data and consumer protection issues, and the risk of exacerbating financial volatility or cybercrime. To tackle these multi-disciplinary challenges, policy- and lawmakers in the European Union (EU) have adopted and announced several initiatives, for instance on intra-EU payment services, data protection, crowdfunding and regulatory sandboxes. This briefing outlines current and upcoming fintech-related laws at EU level. It follows on from a March 2017 EPRS briefing that focused, inter alia, on the evolution, scope and economic prospects of fintech.

Kilde : © Den Europæiske Union, 2019 - EP

Briefing - Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) - 31-01-2019

Wed, 30 Jan 2019 23:00:00 GMT

On 14 September 2016, the European Commission proposed an updated regulation on the Body of European Regulators of Electronic Communications (BEREC). The proposal aims at transforming BEREC into a fully fledged agency. The Commission proposes allocating new tasks to BEREC and granting it legally binding powers. New tasks include providing guidelines for national regulatory authorities (NRAs) on geographical surveys, developing common approaches to meet end-user interests, and also developing common approaches to deliver peer-reviewed opinions on draft national measures (e.g. radio spectrum assignments) and on cross-border disputes. In June 2018, �Ϸ��վ and Council found a compromise in trilogue. The BEREC office will have legal personality, but not BEREC itself, which remains a body of NRAs. �Ϸ��վ and Council also agreed on giving new tasks to BEREC and on moving from simple majority to two-thirds majority for key decisions of the Board of Regulators and of the Management Board. The final act was signed on 10 December 2018, and entered into force on 20 December 2018. Fourth edition. The ‘EU Legislation in Progress’ briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure. Please note this document has been designed for on-line viewing.

Kilde : © Den Europæiske Union, 2019 - EP

Briefing - The new European electronic communications code - 16-01-2019

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 23:00:00 GMT

European telecom rules were last updated in 2009. To make them fit for the digital era the Commission proposed a new Electronic Communications Code in September 2016. The provisional agreement reached in June 2018 was adopted by the �Ϸ��վ and then by the Council in November 2018. Member States have until 21 December 2020 to transpose the new directive into national legislation. The new rules include measures to stimulate investment in and take-up of very high capacity networks in the EU as well as new spectrum rules for mobile connectivity and 5G. The Code also ensures that all citizens have access to affordable communication, including the internet. It increases consumer protection and security for users and facilitates regulatory intervention. Furthermore, it introduces a 'reverse 112 system' which would alert citizens by text message in case of imminent serious emergencies or disasters (from June 2022). During negotiations the �Ϸ��վ secured for citizens cheaper caps for intra-EU calls and SMS from 15 May 2019. Fourth edition. The ‘EU Legislation in Progress’ briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure. Please note this document has been designed for on-line viewing.

Kilde : © Den Europæiske Union, 2019 - EP

Indgående analyse - Standard Essential Patents and the Internet of Things - 15-01-2019

Thu, 17 Jan 2019 23:00:00 GMT

This in-depth analysis, commissioned by the European �Ϸ��վ’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI Committee, assesses the European Commission of (EC) Communication of 29 November 2017 on the EU approach to Standard Essential Patents. The report examines the principles identified in the Communication with respect to the Commission’s proposals on (i) increasing transparency on SEPs; (ii) determining valuation of SEPs( Standard Essential Patents) and FRAND ( Fair, Reasonable, and Non-Discriminatory) terms; and (iii) enforcement. The report evaluates the efficient resolution of licensing disputes over FRAND, including via litigation, arbitration and mediation, licensing pools and collective licensing. The current document also puts forward some policy recommendations to, inter alia, enhance the general environment of FRAND licencing in the context of SEPs.

Kilde : © Den Europæiske Union, 2019 - EP