European Union News - Information Society

The European Commission reminds on the European Data Protection Day 2013 its proposal to reform the EU’s data protection rules launched one year ago. According to the Commission, strong, reliable, consistently applied rules in this field will make data processing safer, cheaper and strengthen people’s confidence.

The European Commission launched a call to action to companies, governments, educators, social partners, employment service providers and civil society to "turn the tide". Young Europeans should have the tools to enter digital careers or to create jobs as entrepreneurs. In particular, the Commission will collect pledges on new jobs, internships, training places, start-up funding, free online university courses and more.

A fine of €66 894 000 on Telefónica and of €12 290 000 on Portugal Telecom were imposed by the European Commission for agreeing not to compete with each other on the Iberian telecommunications markets, in breach of the EU antritrust rules.

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) published an opinion which puts forward an alternative to the plan for “unleashing the potential of cloud computing in Europe” presented by the European Commission. In stead, the EESC proposed a three-legged strategy, i.e. expand the use of the cloud, develop cloud-based software, and build cloud computing in Europe.

European Commission Vice-President responsible for the Digital Agenda Neelie Kroes underlinded that the top priorities for 2013 are to increase broadband investment and to maximise the digital sector's contribution to Europe's recovery. Cloud computing is also expected to accelerate through public sector buying power.

The European Commission announced that on 11 of January it will take place the official opening of the European Cybercrime Centre established at the European Police Office, Europol in the Hague (the Netherlands). Investigations will focus into online fraud, child abuse online and other cybercrimes that regularly involve hundreds of victims at a time, and suspects in many different parts of the world.

The EU’s cyber security agency ENISA released the Cyber Threat Landscape analysis of 2012, summarising over 120 threat reports. The Threat Landscape also report analyses the “cyber enemy”; identifying and also listing the top ten (out of a total of sixteen) threats in emerging technology areas.