Digital

Facebook’s algorithm a threat to public health, doctors say

**This article has been updated with comments from the European Commission. While medical professionals continue to raise alarm of the dangers of inaccurate information  on social networks, a new report estimates the content of health misinformation spreading networks on Facebook...

US tightening restrictions on Huawei access to technology, chips

The Trump administration announced on Monday (17 August) it will further tighten restrictions on Huawei Technologies Co, aimed at cracking down on its access to commercially available chips.

NSA, FBI expose Russian intelligence hacking tool

The US National Security Agency and Federal Bureau of Investigation have exposed a sophisticated Russian hacking tool, they said on Thursday (13 August) in a rare public report offering new insight on Russia’s arsenal of digital weapons.

Pompeo says 5G declaration protects Slovenia against authoritarian threats

The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that by signing a 5G declaration on Thursday (14 August) Slovenia has secured protection against "authoritarian threats" including China's effort "to control people and information."

Airbnb backs OECD approach to digital services tax

Home rental startup Airbnb said on Wednesday (12 August) it supported the development of a digital services tax regime being discussed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to bridge a divide between the United States and Europe.

French privacy watchdog opens preliminary investigation into TikTok

France's data privacy watchdog CNIL said on Tuesday (11 August)  that it has opened a preliminary investigation into Chinese-owned video-sharing app TikTok after it received a complaint.

Pompeo in Prague at start of central Europe visit

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Prague on Tuesday (11 August), public TV footage showed, to open a five-day visit to central Europe with a hefty agenda including China's role in 5G network construction.

Facebook, Microsoft gripes with Apple’s App Store on EU’s antitrust radar

Facebook and Microsoft's grievances over how their gaming apps appear on Apple's App Store may feed into an EU investigation into the iPhone maker's business as EU antitrust regulators said such concerns are on their radar.

EU and US politicians: Facebook must do more to stop online sexism

Facebook Inc must step up and protect women in politics from threats of violence and sexism and hate on its platform, said a letter to the company from female members of the US Congress such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and top female politicians from the EU.

Facebook, Twitter pull Trump posts over coronavirus misinformation

Facebook on Wednesday (5 August) took down a post by US President Donald Trump, which the company said violated its rules against sharing misinformation about the coronavirus.

Suspected Russian hackers stole contents of ex-UK trade minister’s email account

Suspected state-backed Russian hackers are believed to have stolen the entire contents of a personal email account used by former British trade minister Liam Fox as part of an attempt to sway the 2019 UK election, two sources told Reuters.

US ‘cloud’ supremacy has Europe worried about data

Europe is sitting on a wealth of data that is the 21st century equivalent of a precious metal mine during the gold rush. But instead of exploiting it themselves Europeans may be allowing American tech giants to gain control of all the excavation equipment.

5G disinformation: It’s time to tell the truth

There are many myths concerning 5G networks and electromagnetic fields. The vast majority of them stem from a lack of proper knowledge. Europe should dispel the doubts of the people who are looking for answers, writes Marek Zagórski, Polish Minister of Digital Affairs.

Look-back: Best of the news made in 2020 so far

As the EU institutions - and the EURACTIV newsroom - wind down for the summer break, take a look at some of the biggest, most popular and unusual stories published so far in 2020, as well as the catalogue of our best videos this year.

Digital Brief: GAFA hearing, Facebook Vs EU, Cyber sanctions

Welcome to EURACTIV’s Digital Brief, your weekly update on all things digital in the EU.

EU sanctions Russian intelligence, North Korean, Chinese firms over alleged cyberattacks

The European Union imposed on Thursday travel and financial sanctions on a department of Russia’s military intelligence service and on firms from North Korea and China over their suspected participation in major cyberattacks across the world.

Google’s $2.1 billion Fitbit deal faces EU antitrust probe: sources

Google’s $2.1 billion bid for fitness tracker maker Fitbit will face a full-scale EU antitrust investigation next week, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday (30 July).

Vestager calls for EU-US ‘common vision’ on platform competition policy

Worldwide jurisdictions and particularly the EU and the US should formulate "common visions" on how best to regulate competition in the platform economy, the Commission's digital chief Margrethe Vestager has said.

Facebook accused of ‘copy, acquire and kill’ tactics in US antitrust hearing 

Social media giant Facebook has come in for heavy criticism as part of a US congressional hearing into the dominance of online tech platforms, being accused of ‘copy, acquire and kill’ tactics as part of its history in acquiring smaller...

EU to restrict exports to Hong Kong over security law

The European Union on Tuesday (28 July) agreed to limit exports to Hong Kong of equipment that could be used for surveillance and repression after Beijing imposed a controversial new security law.

Protests in Bulgaria are also about media freedom

Protests in Bulgaria are a genuine civil protest against the party-state and in favour of basic democratic rights such as media freedom, writes Maria Stoyanova.

EU startup innovation can aid recovery, MEP says

Despite the coronavirus pandemic wreaking havoc across a range of sectors in the European single market, the bloc's economic recovery can be aided by making the most of new markets that will emerge in the startup ecosystem, says Eva Kaili.

Facebook takes EU antitrust regulators to court

US technology giant Facebook is suing EU regulators after a spat between the two parties erupted over access to company documents as part of an ongoing antitrust probe.

Commission eyes US GAFA hearing for future competition challenges

The heads of US tech giants Facebook, Amazon, Google and Apple are set to testify in a US congressional hearing on Wednesday (29 July) as part of an ongoing probe into the dominance of digital platforms. For the EU, the hearing could provide a valuable insight into how to address competition challenges in the digital economy.