Tech giants such as Meta, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Google may face investigations and fines by the European Union for not adequately addressing toxic content in compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA). The EU Commission could fine companies up to 6% of their global annual revenue and even temporarily ban them. The DSA aims to hold platforms accountable for content moderation, with a focus on high-profile companies that have previously faced scrutiny for their handling of harmful content. The article details the potential impact on specific companies and their readiness for compliance, as well as the broader implications for the tech industry.

European Council President Charles Michel has indicated a growing favorability among EU leaders towards French President Emmanuel Macron's concept of 'strategic autonomy' from the United States. Michel's comments follow Macron's remarks on Europe's need to reduce dependency on the US and avoid involvement in non-European crises. Michel also defended his use of private jets and the European Council's international travel budget, emphasizing the importance of the EU's global presence in countering misinformation, such as that spread by Russian Minister Sergey Lavrov in Africa.

Ireland, traditionally allied with U.S. Big Tech, is now courting Chinese tech firms amidst global trade tensions. Former data protection chief Helen Dixon has expressed concerns over China's non-democratic status. Ireland's IDA has increased its presence in China, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang visited Dublin to meet Prime Minister Leo Varadkar. Ireland's economy has benefited from tech giants like Apple and Google, but there is a risk of over-dependence on foreign companies. The government aims to diversify, welcoming firms like OpenAI and Chinese companies TikTok, Shein, and PDD Holdings. However, this diversification comes with challenges, including trade disputes, espionage, and data privacy issues. The EU is taking measures to protect critical technology, and U.S. restrictions on chip exports to China have impacted Ireland's semiconductor trade.

Europe's largest porn companies, including Pornhub, Stripchat, and Xvideos, have filed legal challenges against the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA), contesting their classification as very large online platforms and the associated obligations. The European Commission had designated these websites as such, subjecting them to stricter content moderation requirements. The companies are also seeking to pause a rule mandating the creation of a public ad library. Pornhub's parent company Aylo disputes the Commission's user number calculations and emphasizes its intent to comply with the law. Xvideos and Stripchat have not commented on the matter.

Europe's initial clampdown on TikTok over security concerns has given way to a renewed embrace of the platform by politicians and parties aiming to connect with young voters ahead of the EU elections. Despite ongoing restrictions and data security concerns, TikTok's popularity among European lawmakers and its efforts to reassure them have led to increased engagement. The platform's influence is evident as politicians use it to reach the youth vote, with some even participating in viral challenges. TikTok's owner, ByteDance, faces scrutiny over data security and compliance with new EU regulations, but the app remains a key tool for political campaigns.

The European Union is investigating TikTok for potentially failing to protect children and privacy on its platform, examining issues such as addictive design, age verification, and default privacy settings. The probe, which could lead to fines, is a test of the EU's new powers under the Digital Services Act to police social media. TikTok, owned by Bytedance, has been asked to explain its safeguards for children's mental and physical health and its handling of illegal content. The company claims to have implemented features to protect teens and prevent under-13s from using the platform.

Hezbollah launched a rocket attack on Israel, targeting an air surveillance base as retaliation for the killing of Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut. Israel responded with a drone strike. The escalation occurs amid U.S. diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, with Secretary of State Blinken discussing reconstruction and a multi-national force with Turkey, which has criticized Israel's actions. The EU's foreign policy chief and the UN's humanitarian chief expressed concerns over the conflict's regional impact and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The European Commission has designated Pornhub, Xvideos, and Stripchat as very large online platforms, subjecting them to stringent content moderation rules under the EU's Digital Services Act by April 2024. These platforms, visited by over 45 million Europeans monthly, must crack down on illegal and harmful content or face fines up to 6 percent of global turnover. The decision follows scrutiny over the platforms' handling of illegal content and pressure to implement age verification measures. While Pornhub and Stripchat reported monthly user numbers below the threshold, Xvideos did not meet the deadline and later reported over 160 million EU users. The Commission will oversee compliance, and companies can appeal their designation.

The European Commission has launched its first investigation under the Digital Services Act into X, formerly known as Twitter, for failing to curb disinformation and hate speech. The probe will examine X's compliance with rules on illegal content, transparency in advertising, and data access for researchers. The investigation follows concerns over X's content moderation, especially after the Hamas attack on Israel. Potential outcomes include fines or mandated changes. Elon Musk's management decisions, including staff cuts and policy changes, have drawn scrutiny from EU regulators.

European Commissioner Thierry Breton has contacted Mark Zuckerberg of Meta to detail his plan to combat disinformation and illegal content related to Hamas attacks in Israel, in compliance with the EU's Digital Services Act. The DSA mandates swift removal of such content by platforms like Facebook and Instagram, with potential fines for non-compliance. Meta's spokesperson Al Tolan stated that a special operations center has been established to monitor the situation and limit misinformation. Similar requests were made to Elon Musk of X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok's Shou Zi Chew. The DSA also aims to address deepfakes ahead of upcoming elections in Poland and the Netherlands.

The European Commission has proposed new rules to expedite the enforcement of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by requiring privacy regulators to share information earlier and settle cases out of court more frequently. The draft rules aim to address inefficiencies in cross-border investigations, particularly those involving major tech companies like Meta, Google, and Amazon. The proposal includes measures to keep investigations confidential and to allow for early arbitration by the European Data Protection Board. Both privacy activists and Big Tech lobby groups have criticized the draft law for limiting their involvement in cases. The European Parliament and EU Council have less than a year to finalize the new rules before the European Parliament elections in June 2024.

The European Union, led by Věra Jourová, is pushing for global AI regulatory guidelines, emphasizing the need for democratic nations to set the rules to prevent misuse of AI technologies. The EU's Artificial Intelligence Act aims to curb harmful technologies like facial recognition. The G7, including the U.S., U.K., and Japan, is working on non-binding AI principles, with varying approaches to regulation. The EU seeks to align these principles with its own laws, while the U.S. prefers a lighter regulatory touch to foster innovation. The article highlights the geopolitical dynamics and the urgency to establish ethical AI guidelines amid competition with China.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak previously expressed doubts about a controversial program to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, as reported by the BBC. When he was Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sunak attempted to convince then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson to scale back the migration scheme before a deal was signed with Rwanda in April 2022. Despite his initial reservations, Sunak has made the immigration program a top priority since becoming prime minister in October 2022, even though it was struck down by the U.K. Supreme Court on human rights grounds. Documents from March 2022 indicate Sunak was uncertain about the plan, believing the deterrent wouldn't work and preferring cheaper hotel accommodations over non-detained centers.

Dutch MEP Sophie in 't Veld has left her national party Democrats 66 due to its narrow focus on domestic politics and joined the pan-EU federalist party Volt. She criticized D66 for not addressing internal issues and praised Volt's pro-European vision. Despite the switch, she will not become a Volt MEP or candidate in the 2024 elections due to Dutch candidacy rules. Volt's Damian Boeselager welcomed the move, while D66 is looking to rejuvenate its ranks ahead of the upcoming elections.

EU countries have rejected a proposal by the European Commission to classify all non-consensual sex as rape across the bloc, despite backing the broader law aimed at protecting women from violence. The decision, influenced by legal basis concerns, has sparked disappointment among women's rights advocates and some EU countries. The rejection highlights a cultural divide within the EU, with Eastern European countries opposing the measure and Western countries supporting it. The European Parliament will now negotiate the plan, with a vote expected in July.

The delay in the rollout of Meta's Threads in Europe is attributed to concerns over the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to prevent Big Tech from monopolizing data and services. This move reflects a broader trend of tech companies hesitating to launch services in Europe due to stringent regulations. The article highlights similar instances with Google and OpenAI. EU lawmakers view the delay as a validation of their regulatory framework, emphasizing the need for compliance before launching new services. Meta's history of regulatory challenges in Europe, including issues with data sharing and previous fines, underscores the cautious approach. The DMA's upcoming enforcement in 2024 is expected to further tighten the operational requirements for tech giants in the EU market.

Petra Kammerevert, a German lawmaker, faces scrutiny for her dual role as a member of the WDR broadcasting council and as a lead negotiator for the European Media Freedom Act. Critics argue that her position on the council, which pays her between €1,000 to €5,000 monthly, presents a conflict of interest. The European Media Freedom Act aims to protect media pluralism and independence but faces opposition in Germany. Transparency International and other EU lawmakers call for stricter rules to prevent conflicts of interest. The Socialists and Democrats group, which appointed Kammerevert, has not responded to the criticism.

Elon Musk has dismissed a global team at X (formerly Twitter) responsible for curbing election disinformation, just days after the EU's digital chief highlighted the platform as having the most falsehoods. The move has drawn criticism, especially as the EU prepares for numerous national and European elections. The European Commission's Vice President Vera Jourová warned of the serious risk of Russian meddling in upcoming elections and emphasized the need for compliance with the Digital Services Act, which mandates large tech platforms to mitigate disinformation risks or face significant fines.

EU lawmakers, including Paul Tang, Manon Aubry, Katalin Cseh, and Daniel Freund, have backed a new hotline to report shady lobbying by Big Tech. The platform, which uses encrypted messages to protect whistleblowers, aims to investigate complaints independently without political or industry interference. This initiative follows complaints against Google, Meta, and Amazon for misleading politicians, which are still under investigation. The move comes amid increased scrutiny of lobbying practices in the European Parliament, especially after the Qatargate scandal.

The European Commission, led by Thierry Breton, is targeting tech giants like Amazon, Spotify, and Apple for failing to fully disclose user numbers as required by the Digital Services Act (DSA). Breton emphasized the importance of transparency and compliance, warning that delaying tactics will not be tolerated. The DSA, adopted in 2022, mandates platforms to enhance content moderation, particularly against illegal and harmful material. Nearly 20 companies, including Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, and Google, have been identified as very large online platforms subject to stringent regulations. The Commission will proceed with formal designations in the coming weeks.

The European Commission is considering a policy to allow staff to bring pets to work, following a formal request by a group of MEPs aiming to improve mental health among Eurocrats. The proposal includes pilot actions and the creation of pet-friendly spaces. However, implementing such a policy would require changes to the Commission's legal framework, considering health and safety issues. The MEPs also suggested that the policy could help address the problem of stray animals in European cities. Commissioner Johannes Hahn emphasized the importance of staff well-being and clarified that Belgian authorities manage dog waste bins near Commission buildings.

The U.K. is set to host a summit in November at Bletchley Park, focusing on the national security threats posed by advanced AI, termed 'frontier models.' This initiative, led by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, aims to address risks such as bioweapons and uncontrollable AI intelligence. The summit has garnered attention and support from other Western nations, including the U.S. and France, despite initial skepticism. Sunak's approach differentiates from other global efforts by emphasizing existential threats and inviting China to participate, highlighting the need for global cooperation akin to climate change. The summit's focus aligns with the U.K.'s military strengths and has received positive feedback from allies like Australia.

Meta's advertising practices in Europe face significant legal challenges following a ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union, which found the company wrong to gather data for personalized ads without explicit consent. The ruling supports Germany's competition authority in considering privacy breaches under GDPR. Meta, which earned over $133 billion in ad revenue in 2022, was fined €390 million in January for similar violations. The Irish Data Protection Commission is now assessing Meta's legal basis for targeted ads. The ruling is expected to impact other major platforms like Google and Tiktok. New European tech laws will further restrict how large tech companies track users for ads, with the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act imposing additional limitations starting later this year and in early 2024.

The European Union has raised concerns about potential Russian interference in the upcoming Slovak election, highlighting the broader risk of disinformation campaigns affecting the EU's own elections next year. EU officials, including Věra Jourová, have criticized social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), for inadequate measures against disinformation. Reports indicate that platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and LinkedIn have taken steps to remove fake accounts and disinformation, but challenges remain, especially with the rise of AI-generated content. The EU's Digital Services Act aims to enforce stricter content moderation to mitigate these risks.

X, formerly known as Twitter, reinstated Yulia Navalnaya's account after mistakenly suspending it due to an automated moderation error. The platform had previously restricted her account's visibility, likely triggered by a rapid increase in followers. Navalnaya's video opposing Russian President Vladimir Putin garnered significant attention before the suspension. X's safety team acknowledged the mistake and promised updates to their defense mechanisms. The incident highlights ongoing issues with social media moderation and censorship, particularly concerning political figures opposing the Russian government.

The European Union is mandating major tech firms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to enhance their efforts against disinformation and online threats ahead of the EU elections in June, under the new Digital Services Act (DSA). The European Commission has issued guidelines for these platforms to mitigate risks such as viral falsehoods and coordinated bot campaigns. Companies failing to comply could face significant fines. The Commission also plans to conduct stress tests with major platforms to ensure compliance with the DSA.

A coalition of 65 international digital and human rights NGOs, including Access Now and the Electronic Frontier Foundation, urged the European Commission to reject using the Digital Services Act (DSA) to enforce social media shutdowns. They called on Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton to clarify his statements and ensure that platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Twitter are not blocked during protests. The NGOs warned that such actions could set a dangerous precedent and be used by authoritarian governments to suppress dissent. The DSA, effective from August 25, imposes new obligations on large platforms to limit illegal and harmful content, with fines up to 6 percent of revenues and potential temporary suspensions for non-compliance.

The European Commission is urging tech giants like Google, Facebook, and TikTok to label AI-generated content to combat online disinformation. This initiative is part of a broader effort to distinguish factual content from AI-manipulated media. The Digital Services Act mandates that large platforms mark deep fakes by August 25 or face hefty fines. The European Parliament is also advocating for similar regulations under the Artificial Intelligence Act. Vice President Věra Jourová emphasized the need for safeguards against misuse of generative AI and criticized Twitter for exiting the voluntary anti-disinformation code.

Social media platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and Twitter may face shutdowns if they fail to remove problematic content during riots under the EU's new Digital Services Act, effective from August 25. Internal Commissioner Thierry Breton emphasized immediate sanctions and potential bans for non-compliance. Platforms with over 45 million EU users must also submit risk assessments, facing fines up to 6% of global revenue. The European Commission will conduct compliance stress tests on major platforms, including TikTok and Meta.

European regulators are set to decide if TikTok mishandled children's data, potentially violating the GDPR. The Irish Data Protection Commission has escalated the case to the European Data Protection Board for a binding decision. The investigation, initiated in 2021, focuses on TikTok's age-verification measures and transparency in processing minors' data. TikTok, overseen by Ireland since 2020, is also under scrutiny for potentially unlawful data transfers to China. Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton highlighted the need for TikTok to improve its data handling practices.

TikTok has been fined €345 million by the Irish Data Protection Commission for violating children's privacy by making accounts of users aged 13 to 17 public by default and using manipulative pop-ups. The fine is the largest ever for TikTok under GDPR and adds to the company's challenges in Europe, where it faces scrutiny over data security and connections to China. TikTok has agreed to comply with the order to change misleading designs and extend default-privacy settings to new users aged 16 and 17.

Cars are increasingly filming, recording, and tracking drivers and passengers, with manufacturers like Nissan and Volkswagen collecting extensive data. Nissan has stated it could sell information about drivers' sexual activity, intelligence, and health diagnoses to various entities, while Volkswagen could record drivers' voices for targeted ads. The article raises significant privacy concerns regarding these practices.

TikTok is expected to face a privacy fine by early September for mishandling teenagers' and children's data. The European Data Protection Board resolved disagreements among national privacy regulators, initiating a process for the Irish Data Protection Commission to issue the final penalty. The investigation focuses on TikTok's compliance with the EU's GDPR, particularly regarding children's privacy and age-verification practices. TikTok previously received a fine from the Dutch data protection authority and is under investigation for potentially unlawful data transfers to China.

The EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), adopted in 2022, mandates 19 large online platforms and search engines to comply with new content rules aimed at curbing illegal and harmful digital content. Companies like Facebook, TikTok, and Amazon must remove illegal content, assess societal risks, and increase transparency. The European Commission can fine non-compliant companies up to 6% of annual global revenue and even temporarily ban them. The DSA also requires detailed reporting, user empowerment, targeted ad restrictions, and disclosure of operational information. Regulators and researchers will have access to company data and algorithms.

The European Union is issuing a final warning to major tech companies in Silicon Valley, emphasizing the need to comply with the Digital Services Act (DSA) by late August. Thierry Breton, the EU's digital commissioner, is meeting with top executives from Meta, Twitter, OpenAI, and Nvidia to stress the importance of combating online hate speech, illegal content, and disinformation. The DSA will require large platforms to submit risk assessments and could lead to significant fines for non-compliance. Additionally, Breton is promoting the AI Pact, a voluntary commitment to ethical AI development, ahead of the forthcoming Artificial Intelligence Act.

The European Union is issuing a final warning to major tech companies in Silicon Valley, emphasizing the need to comply with the Digital Services Act (DSA) by late August. EU Commissioner Thierry Breton is meeting with top executives from Meta, Twitter, OpenAI, and Nvidia to stress the importance of combating online hate speech, illegal content, and disinformation. The DSA will require large tech platforms to submit risk assessments and could lead to significant fines for non-compliance. Additionally, Breton is promoting the AI Pact, a voluntary commitment to ethical AI development, ahead of the forthcoming Artificial Intelligence Act.

Norway's Data Protection Authority has ordered Meta to stop personalized ads on Facebook and Instagram based on user tracking, effective from August 4, with a potential daily fine for non-compliance. This follows a European Court ruling against Meta's data practices. The Irish Data Protection Commission is also scrutinizing Meta, with a decision expected by mid-August. The Norwegian regulator's action is a significant move in enforcing data privacy following the EU court's decision.

The European Union has approved a new deal, the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework, allowing data transfers between the EU and the United States, ending a three-year legal uncertainty for tech companies like Facebook and Google. The European Commission recognized the U.S. as having adequate data protection under GDPR. The deal follows an executive order by President Joe Biden to limit U.S. intelligence agencies' access to Europeans' data. Privacy activist Max Schrems plans to challenge the agreement, citing insufficient protections. The European Data Protection Board and European Parliament have expressed concerns, but officials remain optimistic. The framework will be reviewed annually and every four years thereafter.

The European Data Protection Supervisor has initiated an investigation into the EU border agency Frontex for sharing data from interviews with detained migrants and asylum seekers with the EU police agency Europol. This practice, aimed at combating smuggling and terrorism, may violate EU privacy laws. Frontex has shared information on 13,000 potential suspects since 2016. The EDPS audit raised doubts about the legality and respect for fundamental rights in Frontex's operations, which systematically collect data on potential suspects. The expansion of Europe's surveillance capabilities, including new powers for Europol and proposed laws for biometric data sharing, has also raised privacy concerns. The EDPS has given Frontex until the end of the year to make changes to ensure legal compliance.

The European Union's privacy enforcement, marked by a record €1.2 billion fine against Meta, reveals significant shortcomings in protecting personal data. The fine, imposed by Ireland's Data Protection Commission under pressure from other EU regulators, underscores the challenges in enforcing the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Despite the GDPR's intent to set a high privacy standard, enforcement remains inconsistent, with national regulators like Ireland and Luxembourg holding significant power due to hosting Big Tech headquarters. The EU is preparing new legislation to improve cross-border enforcement cooperation, but critics argue that fundamental issues persist. The article highlights the ongoing struggle within the EU to effectively regulate data privacy amidst economic interests and complex legal frameworks.

The Italian data protection authority, The Garante, has given OpenAI until April 30 to comply with privacy requirements, potentially lifting ChatGPT's temporary ban in Italy. OpenAI must verify users' ages, explain data processing, obtain consent, and allow data correction or deletion. An information campaign is required by May 14, and a detailed plan for a system to restrict access to minors under 13 is due by May 31. The temporary ban was due to alleged GDPR violations, including not verifying minors' ages. OpenAI is exploring age verification options and looks forward to making ChatGPT available in Italy again. The European Data Protection Board will discuss related issues, including a GDPR investigation into Meta.

The European Union's Digital Services Act will require major social media platforms and search engines, including Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok, to address illegal and harmful content by August 25 or face significant fines. The European Commission will designate 19 large platforms and search engines that must comply with these new regulations, which include removing illegal content, protecting minors from targeted ads, and limiting disinformation. Companies must also conduct annual risk assessments and ensure high levels of privacy and security. Non-compliance could result in fines up to 6% of global annual turnover or temporary bans. The first major test will be the Slovak elections in September, with the Commission planning a compliance check at Twitter's headquarters in June.

ChatGPT, created by OpenAI, is facing significant regulatory challenges in Europe, including a temporary ban in Italy due to potential GDPR violations. European data protection authorities are coordinating to address privacy concerns, with potential investigations and enforcement actions. OpenAI has not established a local headquarters in the EU, making it vulnerable to actions from any member country. The situation highlights broader issues with AI regulation, as European lawmakers negotiate legal frameworks for the technology. OpenAI's lack of transparency regarding the dataset used to train ChatGPT has also been noted, and the company has faced criticism from various advocacy groups and individuals.

The European Union institutions, including the European Commission and European Parliament, have decided not to participate in Twitter's new paid-verification program, 'Twitter Blue'. This decision affects hundreds of official EU accounts, including those of high-profile figures such as Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Parliament President Roberta Metsola. The move comes amid concerns that the paid verification could lead to an increase in fake accounts and violate the EU's General Data Protection Regulation. Twitter has begun issuing gray checkmarks to government accounts, but the full implementation of the new policy remains unclear. Twitter's CEO Elon Musk's response to media inquiries about the program was dismissive, using a poop emoji.

The Italian privacy regulator has temporarily banned ChatGPT, an AI tool by OpenAI, citing privacy violations and non-compliance with the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The ban will remain until OpenAI addresses the issues, including a recent data breach and concerns over processing minors' data. OpenAI, which has disabled ChatGPT in Italy, disagrees with the findings and claims GDPR compliance. The company's CEO, Sam Altman, expressed respect for the Italian government's decision and his fondness for Italy.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis apologized for the country's deadliest train disaster and announced plans to seek help from Brussels to modernize Greece's railway network. The collision in Tempe on February 28 killed at least 57 people and injured 85. Mitsotakis attributed the disaster to human error but acknowledged the need for modernization amid ongoing mass protests and criticism of the government's handling of rail safety. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating a contract for upgrading the rail system, and the Greek government has formed an expert committee to investigate the crash, which has been met with opposition skepticism.

TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram will face the strictest rules under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), requiring platforms with over 45 million EU users to adhere to new content moderation regulations starting in summer 2023. These platforms must swiftly remove illegal content, limit disinformation, and protect minors under the European Commission's supervision. Non-compliance could result in fines up to 6% of annual global revenue. The European Commission will formally designate these very large online platforms (VLOPs) in the coming weeks, and companies must disclose user numbers by the deadline. TikTok is enhancing its efforts to comply, including opening a transparency center in Dublin.

Facebook and Instagram may need to halt data transfers from Europe to the U.S. within two months due to privacy concerns. The European Data Protection Board will decide on Meta's data transfers by April 14. Meta has warned it might have to cease operations in Europe if its data transfer methods are deemed illegal. A new transatlantic data deal is in the works but may not be finalized in time. The case originated from a 2013 privacy complaint by Austrian campaigner Max Schrems. The Irish Data Protection Commission's decision to ban Meta's use of standard contractual clauses for data transfers has led to a dispute resolution process involving other European data protection authorities.

Twitter failed its first EU disinformation test, providing an incomplete report on its efforts to tackle falsehoods and foreign interference, unlike other major social media firms. The European Commission expressed disappointment, highlighting the importance of compliance with the Digital Services Act to avoid significant fines. Twitter's challenges are compounded by staff reductions since Elon Musk's acquisition. The EU's anti-disinformation charter aims to enhance transparency and accountability among tech companies.

The European Union aims to recruit talent from Big Tech companies like Meta and Twitter, amid layoffs and resignations, to enforce the new Digital Services Act (DSA). The European Commission is hiring nearly 70 new roles to police online content, but faces challenges such as potential conflicts of interest and lower salaries compared to the private sector. The UK’s Ofcom is also recruiting for its Online Safety Bill, offering incentives to attract industry expertise. Concerns about a revolving door between regulators and Big Tech, and the need for transparency in hiring processes, are highlighted. The EU aims to enforce the DSA by September 1, 2023.

EU officials, including European Commission Vice President Věra Jourová and Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager, warned TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew to comply with EU laws and address privacy concerns. The social media company, owned by China's ByteDance, is under scrutiny for potential unlawful data transfers and children's privacy. The meetings in Brussels focused on TikTok's commitment to EU regulations, data safety, and upcoming digital rules. Concerns were also raised about TikTok's data use regarding journalists and the need for transparency in political advertising and influencer marketing.

European officials, including French President Emmanuel Macron, have raised concerns about TikTok's data privacy practices and potential for spreading disinformation. Macron has called for regulation of the app, which is facing EU privacy probes and will need to comply with the EU's new digital rulebook. Germany's SPD and FDP have also suggested examining a ban on TikTok on government phones, echoing U.S. actions. The European Commission and Parliament are considering restrictions, while Ireland's privacy regulator is conducting investigations into TikTok's data transfers to China and child safety on the app.

Sweden's upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union is set to face challenges such as the economic crisis from the Ukraine war and a packed legislative agenda. Key figures include Lars Danielsson, the chief negotiator and Swedish ambassador to the EU; Jessika Roswall, the new European affairs minister; Christian Danielsson, state secretary to the EU affairs minister; Ylva Johansson, Commissioner for Home Affairs; Gertrud Ingestad, director general for human resources and security; and MEPs Jessica Polfjärd, Karin Karlsbro, and Sara Skyttedal. These individuals will play significant roles in navigating the presidency, pushing Sweden's priorities, and working on crucial EU laws.

ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, accessed data of journalists and other users to track company leaks, raising security concerns in the West. ByteDance employees in China and the U.S. inappropriately accessed IP addresses and other data of journalists from BuzzFeed News and the Financial Times. The U.S. Congress is set to vote on banning TikTok from federal government phones due to privacy and national security fears. ByteDance has fired four employees and restructured its audit and risk team. The company is negotiating with CFIUS to remain operational in the U.S. Meanwhile, the Irish Data Protection Commission is investigating TikTok's data transfers to China, with results expected in early 2023.

Twitter is facing significant challenges in complying with the European Union's updated anti-disinformation charter under Elon Musk's leadership. The platform has lifted bans on COVID-19 misinformation and controversial users, raising concerns about its preparedness. The European Commission and other stakeholders are skeptical about Twitter's ability to meet its commitments, especially after significant staff reductions and policy changes. The EU's code of practice on disinformation, which includes over 30 signatories like Meta, TikTok, and Google, aims to curb falsehoods and ensure transparency in political ads. Companies must report their compliance efforts, with potential fines under the Digital Services Act for non-compliance.

L'article discute le plan de 200 milliards d'euros annoncé par le chancelier allemand Olaf Scholz pour plafonner les prix de l'énergie en Allemagne. Cette initiative suscite des inquiétudes parmi les autres membres de l'Union européenne qui craignent une distorsion de la concurrence. L'émission 'La faute à l'Europe ?' présentée par Yann-Antony Noghès depuis le Parlement européen à Bruxelles, aborde cette question avec des invités et chroniqueurs. Ils offrent divers points de vue sur l'actualité européenne, y compris les perspectives de la France et les analyses de Jean Quatremer, un expert reconnu de la construction européenne.

In Saint-Apollinaire, Quebec, a referendum to decide on the creation of a Muslim cemetery resulted in its rejection. The vote, which was limited to 49 residents living near the proposed site, saw 19 votes against and 16 in favor, with one spoiled ballot. The Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City had been seeking a cemetery for a decade, and the need became more pressing after a mass shooting at a Quebec City mosque. The rejection has been attributed to fear and misinformation by the mayor of Saint-Apollinaire, Bernard Ouellet. The incident has highlighted issues of intolerance and the challenges faced by the Muslim community in finding local burial grounds.