EURActiv Info Society

The anti-piracy ACTA agreement goes far beyond what is acceptable in the defence of intellectual property, threatening to internet users' privacy and allowing even legitimate websites to be blocked, says Ivaylo Kalfin.

Online activists across Europe are protesting against the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), which officially aims to protect intellectual rights but which critics say violates privacy. An online petition against the international treaty attracted more than a million signatures, EurActiv's network in Central Europe reports.

Online activists across Europe are protesting against the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), which officially aims to protect intellectual rights but which critics say violates privacy. An online petition against the international treaty attracted more than a million signatures, EurActiv's network in Central Europe reports.

After much internal strife, the European Commission published today (25 January) a broad legislative package aimed at safeguarding personal data across the EU. The proposal, if approved, is expected to strengthen citizens’ rights and could have a far-reaching impact on the way online data are collected and processed.

After much internal strife, the European Commission published today (25 January) a broad legislative package aimed at safeguarding personal data across the EU. The proposal, if approved, is expected to strengthen citizens’ rights and could have a far-reaching impact on the way online data are collected and processed.

Imposing restrictions on the internet, such as the proposed "Stop Online Piracy Act" (SOPA) in the United States, will only hamper technological developments, writes Bulgarian MEP Ivailo Kalfin (Socialists and Democrats).

Imposing restrictions on the internet, such as the proposed "Stop Online Piracy Act" (SOPA) in the United States, will only hamper technological developments, writes Bulgarian MEP Ivailo Kalfin (Socialists and Democrats).

Two controversial draft bills on internet piracy and copyright protection, which are currently being examined in the US Congress, are raising concerns in Brussels with the European Commission warning about its potential consequences on Europe.

Two controversial draft bills on internet piracy and copyright protection, which are currently being examined in the US Congress, are raising concerns in Brussels with the European Commission warning about its potential consequences on Europe.

Two controversial draft bills on internet piracy and intellectual property protection, which are currently being examined in the US Congress, are raising concerns among policymakers in the European Parliament. Marietje Schaake, a Dutch MEP, has taken up the issue and voiced her concerns to EurActiv in an interview.

Two controversial draft bills on internet piracy and intellectual property protection, which are currently being examined in the US Congress, are raising concerns among policymakers in the European Parliament. Marietje Schaake, a Dutch MEP, has taken up the issue and voiced her concerns to EurActiv in an interview.

A dire debate within the European Commission risks delaying once more the publication of a comprehensive package on the review of data protection rules. After significantly working out the original text, the only remaining opponent seems to be EU Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström.

A dire debate within the European Commission risks delaying once more the publication of a comprehensive package on the review of data protection rules. After significantly working out the original text, the only remaining opponent seems to be EU Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström.

Proposals to double the volume of e-commerce in Europe by 2015 – laid out in a communication published yesterday (11 January) – are set to cause a tussle over the liability of online traders.

Proposals to double the volume of e-commerce in Europe by 2015 – laid out in a communication published yesterday (11 January) – are set to cause a tussle over the liability of online traders.

The European Commission has moved to further integrate the 27-nation market for card, internet and mobile payments and stave off a lack of competition in that business.

The European Commission has moved to further integrate the 27-nation market for card, internet and mobile payments and stave off a lack of competition in that business.

The European Commission has moved to further integrate the 27-nation market for card, internet and mobile payments and stave off a lack of competition in that business.

The European Commission has moved to further integrate the 27-nation market for card, internet and mobile payments and stave off a lack of competition in that business.

More than two-thirds of European websites offering consumer credit contracts are falling short of standards required under EU law, according to a widespread pan-European investigation conducted in September last year.