Keres
Regulation 1049/2001 on the right of access to documents, including the digital context
Upon request of the Committee on Petitions (PETI), the Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs commissioned the present study on Regulation 1049/2001 on access to documents with a twofold objective. First, to update the analysis conducted in a 2016 study for the PETI Committee with the latest developments in the case law of the CJEU and the activities led by the European Ombudsman since then – in particular focussing on access to legislative documents, documents relating ...
Law and ICT
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 ...
Enhancing the capabilities of CSDP missions and operations to identify and respond to disinformation attacks
With more and more disinformation campaigns targeting the EU and its institutions in recent years, Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and operations have also been subject to such attacks. While this analysis did not identify systematic disinformation campaigns against the EU CSDP missions and operations, it does not imply that the CSDP missions and operations are not on the radar of the malign actors creating and disseminating disinformation. In fact, their activities are occasionally ...
Online age verification methods for children
Protecting children online is becoming increasingly vital. For over two decades, there has been a limited range of online age verification methods available to protect children from accessing online content unsuitable for their age. A number of countries are introducing legislation and/or codes of practice to address this situation. At EU level too, there are increasing efforts in this regard, with a code of practice in the pipeline. Challenges abound, however, in the areas of privacy, monitoring ...
EU secure connectivity programme 2023-2027
During the February II 2023 plenary session, the European Ϸվ is expected to vote on the agreement on the proposed regulation establishing the Union secure connectivity programme for 2023-2027 (also referred to as the infrastructure for resilience, interconnectivity and security by satellite – IRIS²). Satellite communication is a strategic asset for governments and civil society alike. Complementary to terrestrial networks, it can contribute to seamless digital communication, even when such ...
The new European strategy for a better internet for kids (BIK+)
The way children use digital technologies has changed a lot over the past decade. Most children go online using a smartphone, and do so almost twice as much as 10 years ago. They also use the internet at an earlier age than did children 10 years ago. Although the internet provides many opportunities for kids to learn and explore, to be creative or to interact with their friends and family, it also entails many risks such as cyberbullying, age-inappropriate content, disinformation and sexual abuse ...
Tracking the EU Commissioners’ commitments - Von der Leyen Commission, 2019 - 2024: Margrethe Vestager
This briefing follows up the commitments made by the commissioner since 2019.
Genome editing is a powerful new tool allowing precise additions, deletions and substitutions in the genome. The development of new approaches has made editing of the genome much more precise, efficient, flexible, and less expensive, relative to previous strategies. As with other medical advances, each such application comes with its own set of benefits, risks, ethical issues and societal implications, which may require new regulatory frameworks. Important questions raised with respect to genome ...
Security threats to undersea communications cables and infrastructure – consequences for the EU
The EU’s subsea data cable network is both vital for global connectivity and vulnerable. This study provides a systematic review of the current security threats, as well as the actors at the origin of these threats. Building on reports and expert input, the paper takes stock of current awareness, preparedness and response mechanisms, both at the EU and Member State level. A number of recommendations suggest how to improve the resilience of the cable network. Proposals build on the need to enhance ...
Research for CULT Committee: Esports - Background Analysis
Esports has become an integral part of the digital society. Esports is a fast paced and heterogenic phenomenon and a cross-sectional topic linking gaming, entertainment and media, culture and art, education, business, diversity and inclusion, and sports. In this background analysis, the authors explain what esports is, what the different ecosystems look like and what the opportunities and challenges are. Esports can be utilised as an integral tool to shape the modern digital society and act as ...