Digital rights

Mobile operators and personal data in Europe  Large investigation

Friday 08 April 2022 | Federico Caruso
Gianluca De Feo
| OBC Transeuropa

This article explores in more detail our research into how phone companies use customers’ personal data, with notes on the legal issues relating to European law.

How phone companies use our personal data 

Friday 08 April 2022 | Gianluca De Feo
Federico Caruso
| OBC Transeuropa

In the past, some telephone companies have become known for their unscrupulous use of customers’ personal data. While things have improved in Europe, it is important to know what we are agreeing to when we sign a new contract.

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

Young men taking a selfie in swimwear

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.