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Today, the Commission opened infringement procedures against 24 Member States for failing to enact new EU telecom rules. The European Electronic Communications Code modernises the European regulatory framework for electronic communications, to enhance consumers’ choices and rights, for example by ensuring clearer contracts, quality of services, and competitive markets. The Code also ensures higher standards of communication services, including more efficient and accessible emergency communications. Furthermore, it allows operators to benefit from rules incentivising investments in very-high capacity networks, as well as from enhanced regulatory predictability, leading to more innovative digital services and infrastructures.
Ensuring Equal Access to Internet Services for those With Disabilities Published: 01 February 2021
The Ministry of Public Health reports that one in seven people has a disability worldwide, with many experiencing negative attitudes and difficulty accessing public spaces. However, many people also experience challenges when accessing websites, whether this is for work or for leisure. The European Disability forum reports that those unable to connect online may feel isolated and are at risk of mental health issues. As a result, there is an increasing need to make the internet more accessible to individuals with disabilities in the coming year. How can this be achieved?
Friday, January 15, 2021
The United States (US) continues to focus on the aftermath of the US Capitol Building attack on 6 January, as it looks to move forward with a peaceful transition of power this coming week. Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) process for approving the EU-United Kingdom (UK) trade deal took another step forward this week, as the European Parliament began its review.
Looking ahead, addressing concerns with the People’s Republic of China (“China”) remains an area of potential mutual cooperation among the transatlantic trading partners. Separately, the US shined a spotlight this week on collusion between al-Qaeda and Iran, which may further complicate efforts to address Iran’s increased uranium enrichment levels (as noted in our 11 January report).
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Five Country Statement to EU to prevent child abuse online
Australia and its Five Country partners have issued a statement calling on the European Parliament to protect children around the world by addressing the unintended consequences of the new European Electronic Communications Code.
The new Code, which came into effect in the European Union (EU) on 21 December 2020, introduced a new broader definition of ‘electronic communications services’, compelling service providers operating in the EU to comply with the rules of the ‘ePrivacy Directive’. This will inadvertently make it easier for criminals to abuse children online.
Under the new Code, it is now illegal for electronic service providers, including social media companies, operating in the EU to continue to use the necessary tools to detect child sexual abuse material on online platforms and services.