Today the European Commission has published guidelines for the implementation of the Copyright Directive which undermines users’ protections. Upload filters (aka censorshipmachines) operated and designed by multinational companies will get to decide what content can be shared online and what can’t,…

Copyright

Even though its effects are very visible, the ePrivacy Directive is hardly known to the wider public. Cookie consent dialogues, familiar to every web user, are often associated with GDPR and widely complained about since 2018. However, they are really a consequence of the ePrivacy Directive's…

Data Retention , Privacy and Data Protection

Despite being one of Austria's most powerful institutions, the Federal Agency for State Protection and Counterterrorism (abbreviated BVT in German) does not enjoy a good reputation. Numerous past incidents have branded the BVT and damaged its international standing. Among foreign intelligence…

State Protection Act , Surveillance Package

Austria is reforming its telecommunications law to incorporate the new European directives on electronic communications. The Austrian government has now an unique opportunity to leverage router freedom at the legislative level to protect consumers and the market.

 

It should go without saying that…

Net Neutrality

On April 28, 2021, the European Parliament adopted its position on the Covid Pass (the "Digital Green Certificate" or "Green Passport"). The legislative proposal has been designed to make travel within the EU possible again. The proposal aims to provide EU countries with a common framework which…

Privacy and Data Protection , COVID-19

If you browse the web without an ad blocker, you will have noticed that the ads you see tend to follow you around. Have you been looking around for a new pair of shoes? Be prepared to see more ads for shoes on completely unrelated websites. This advertising technique is called "behavioural…

Privacy and Data Protection

The review period for the Freedom of Information Act ended on 19 April 2021. Austria is the only country in the EU where official secrecy is still regulated at constitutional level. This has made it difficult for citizens to obtain information about government action or the use of tax revenue. The…

Transparency/Open Government

We have been warning about an electronic immunity certificate and the severe consequences such a system would have on society since May 2020. In a cloak-and-dagger operation the legal basis was created last week. Today we publish internal slides on the project, which unfortunately confirm our fears…

Privacy and Data Protection , COVID-19

It was a dark day for internet freedom and Europe’s role in global internet policy, when the controversial Copyright Directive was passed in the EU Parliament in 2019. While we still hope to overthrow this directive before the ECJ, we also see it as our task to ensure that the Austrian…

Copyright

It comes as no surprise that 2021 too will be dominated by the coronavirus pandemic and political activity will focus on the battle against the infectious disease. Nevertheless, there are many issues advancing in the background which need to be worked on. Many of these have been on our radar for…

HEAT , Copyright , Surveillance Package , Privacy and Data Protection , Platform Regulation , Face Recognition , AMS

Press mentions on this topic

Title Date Publication Publication details Type of publication Mentioned
06/18/2025 Ö1 Mittagsjournal Radio yes
06/17/2025 gala.de Web yes
06/17/2025 vip.de Web yes
06/17/2025 stuttgarter-nachrichten.de Web yes
06/17/2025 brigitte.de Web yes
06/17/2025 Oberösterreichische Nachrichten Web yes
06/17/2025 PULS24 Web yes
06/17/2025 Kleine Zeitung Web yes
06/17/2025 Die Presse Web yes
06/17/2025 krone.at Web yes

Recommended press stories on this topic

Title Date Publication Publication details Type of publication Mentioned
08/22/2023 The Guardian Web no
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07/26/2023 Netzpolitik.org Web no
07/25/2023 EURACTIV.com Web no
07/14/2023 Salzburger Nachrichten Web no
07/10/2023 Ö1 Dimensionen Web no
06/28/2023 Netzpolitik.org Web no
06/07/2023 noen.at Web no
06/03/2023 Orange 94.0 Web no
06/03/2023 reuters.com Web no