Digital rights
Citizens' distrust and lack of consensus: what led to the fiasco of contact tracing apps
Wednesday 05 January 2022 |
Álvaro Merino | El Orden Mundial
European countries have spent months debating what to do with data collected through contact tracing apps. A lack of consensus, as well as the launch of new systems by Apple and Google, lessened the chances of a unified protocol among the bloc. What is clear is that Europe always prioritised the data protection of its own users.
The EU faces off with Big Tech: GDPR’s enforcement enters its final phase
Monday 15 November 2021 |
Álvaro Merino | El Orden Mundial
Member states have imposed eight hundred and eighty sanctions since the law was introduced in May 2018, but the war against the tech giants has just begun. If the EU wants to win it, it will need to commit to it with greater investment and cooperation from all its members.
Gigabits for some, but not for others
Friday 22 October 2021 |
Federico Caruso | OBC Transeuropa
The cost of a good internet connection varies widely within the European Union, with countries around the Adriatic paying the most. Meanwhile, Romania, with a world-class network and competitive prices, is a case apart.
Europe’s internet speeds are faster than ever, but not for everyone
Wednesday 22 September 2021 |
Federico Caruso Ornaldo Gjergji
| OBC Transeuropa
Over the last year and a half internet speeds in Europe have increased by more than fifty percent. Unfortunately, the gap between urban and more rural areas, and between north European countries and those in the south-east, has also grown.
Online privacy: the cookies’ attack
Wednesday 28 April 2021 |
EUrologus When you open a website, the question immediately pops up: what data do you want to share with the service provider? In the EU, on average, 50% of internet users refuse to allow their personal data to be used for advertising.
Google and Facebook dominate behavioural advertising, even with the cookie crumbling
Wednesday 10 February 2021 |
Andreas Vou | OBC Transeuropa
Action is being taken to increase transparency on the processing of users’ personal data on the internet, but the main digital advertisers still rely on intrusive practices that try to influence people’s behaviours. European regulation on data protection could mitigate the issue, but its enforcement is limited
Undress or fail: Instagram's algorithm strong-arms users into showing skin
Large investigation
Wednesday 17 June 2020 |
Nicolas Kayser-Bril Judith Duportail
Kira Schacht
Édouard Richard
| Algorithm Watch
An exclusive investigation reveals that Instagram prioritizes photos of scantily-clad men and women, shaping the behavior of content creators and the worldview of 140 millions Europeans in what remains a blind spot of EU regulations.
How "big tech" influence electoral processes and why transparency is essential
Monday 21 December 2020 |
Andreas Vou | Voxeurop
Over the years, Big Tech companies have morphed from mere platforms to major international players with vested financial and political motives and connections. Their roles in influencing elections in Europe must be seriously addressed.
Where do we stand on the road to a European Gigabit Society?
Thursday 25 March 2021 |
Federico Caruso | OBC Transeuropa
The road towards universally accessible ultra-fast connectivity in Europe still seems long and bumpy.
Online ads know you well
Wednesday 25 November 2020 |
Federico Caruso | OBC Transeuropa
The online advertising system is based on the collection and sharing of user data, in an opaquely competitive market which rests mostly in a few powerful hands, including Google. Privacy and data protection are at issue, and Europe is debating what action should be taken.
