"The #EU is ready to agree that immediate #OpenAccess to papers reporting publicly funded research should become the norm, w/o authors having to pay fees & that the bloc should support #nonprofit scholarly publishing models.
If you are a citizen of any EU Member State, I implore you to consider signing the Tax-the-Rich citizens' initiative: https://www.tax-the-rich.eu/
The idea is to tax the super rich and then use the money for climate transition. :blobcathappypaws:
This is an official EU citizens' initiative, meaning that if it reaches certain thresholds, it will have to be considered by the EU institutions. That's a really powerful tool, if actually used.
Today, we have opened five non-compliance investigations under the Digital Markets Act.
It concerns:
🔹Alphabet’s rules on steering in Google Play
🔹Alphabet’s self-preferencing in Google Search
🔹Apple’s rules on steering in the App Store
🔹Apple's choice screen for Safari
🔹Meta’s ‘pay or consent model’
📢 The EU Parliament will not be moving forward with chat control! The indiscriminate mass surveillance measures have been removed and secure end-to-end encryption will not be compromised! 🥳
🚨 Another EU mass surveillance attempt. Will kill privacy on web. Must not pass. 🚨
“[A]ll web browsers distributed in Europe will be required to trust the certificate authorities and cryptographic keys selected by EU governments.
These changes radically expand the capability of EU governments to surveil their citizens by ensuring cryptographic keys under government control can be used to intercept encrypted web traffic across the EU.”
A group of 18 European Parliament Members have issued a statement officially calling for #Degrowth.
Here is part of what they wrote...
We believe that the current economic model, based on endless growth, has reached its limits.
Firstly, continuous economic growth, especially based on the consumption of fossil fuels, is leading to catastrophic global warming.
Secondly, the infinite pursuit of growth relies on the depletion of natural resources, the destruction of biodiversity, and the accumulation of waste and pollution. This also poses risks to our health, our economies, and our societies writ large.
Thirdly, the current economic model is contributing to social inequality and exclusion. The emphasis on economic growth has not translated into equal distribution of wealth or opportunities. Instead, it has resulted in a concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few leaving many behind.
Fourthly, the current economic model is inherently unstable and prone to crises, as seen, for example, during the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. The pursuit of growth at all costs has created a global economic system that is fragile and vulnerable to shocks.
We need an economic system that prioritises human well-being and ecological sustainability over GDP growth, one that recognises that infinite growth on a finite planet is impossible.
We also believe we need to find new ways of organising our economies without relying on the continuous exploitation of resources and the constant increase in production and consumption.
We call for more pluralism in economic thinking within EU institutions and for its alignment with the scientific evidence of climate, ecological, and social sciences.
We call for economic models and other decision-support tools to be more diverse, more comprehensive, and more readable for citizens.
We call for decision-making processes to be aligned with our common policy objectives rather than on the basis of the variation of GDP figures.
Names of those who signed on as co-authors: Philippe Lamberts (BE), Bas Eickhout (NL), Ville Niinisto (FI), Manuela Ripa (DE), Marie Toussaint (FR), Ernest Urtasun (ES), Kim Van Sparrentak (NL) — Greens/EFA; Manon Aubry (FR), Petros Kokkalis (EL), Marisa Matias (PT), Helmut Scholz (DE) — The Left (GUE/NGL); Pascal Durand (FR), Aurore Lalucq (FR), Pierre Larrouturou (FR) — Socialists & Democrats (S&D); Sirpa Pietikainen (FI), Maria Walsh (IE) — European People’s Party (EPP); Katalin CSEH (HU) — Renew Europe (RE); and Dino GIARRUSSO (IT) — Non-attached (NI).
“Would you like to use the browser by Company X, or the browser by the company that survives on half-a-billion dollars a year from Company X, or the browser by the company that gets paid an estimated $20 billion a year by Company X even though it can survive without it?”
We desperately need a web browser by an independent organisation funded by EU taxpayer money and maintained for the common good.
Norway wants Facebook behavioural advertising banned across Europe.
Norway has told the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) it believes a countrywide ban on Meta harvesting user data to serve up advertising on Facebook and Instagram should be made permanent and extended across Europe.
We've opened formal proceedings against Meta regarding the protection of minors on Facebook and Instagram.
The systems of both platforms, including their algorithms, may stimulate behavioural addictions in children, as well as create so-called 'rabbit-hole effects’.
Hold on, shoppers! Sales are here (or coming soon) in the EU.
It's time to rethink our fashion choices.
Before you buy, ask yourself: do I really need this?
Fast fashion is harmful. It is resource intensive, emits greenhouse gases and uses a lot of water.
By 2030, our goal is clear: all #EU textile products will be long-lived, recyclable and made as much as possible of recycled fibres, respecting social rights and the environment.
Let's redefine fast fashion and create a sustainable future.
We've fined Apple over €1.8 billion over abusive App Store rules for music streaming providers.
For a decade, Apple abused its dominant position by restricting developers from informing consumers about alternative, cheaper music services available outside of the Apple ecosystem.
Danish farmer about #Ukraine's membership of the #EU :
"I had not imagined that there would be war in Europe again. But if EU membership for Ukraine can ensure that it doesn't happen again, I would be more than happy to pay 25 per cent of my agricultural subsidies from the EU to them," says Leif Hougaard.
"This would mean a lower income and less to fall back on. But that's how it is and should be. Because no one is dying here."
Meta has to stop surveillance based advertising... in Norway.
The Norwegian Data Protection Authority imposes a ban on Meta carrying out behavioral advertising based on the surveillance and profiling of users in Norway.
This is an important first step, although temporary. What we really need is clear regulation and no way to opt in, as that is always misused.
Честита Нова година!
¡Feliz Año Nuevo!
Šťastný Nový rok!
Godt Nytår!
Frohes Neues Jahr!
Head uut aastat!
Καλή χρονιά!
Happy New Year!
Bonne année!
Athbhliain faoi mhaise!
Sretna nova godina!
Felice Anno Nuovo!
Laimīgu Jauno gadu!
Laimingų Naujųjų metų!
Boldog új évet!
Is-Sena t-Tajba!
Gelukkig nieuwjaar!
Szczęśliwego Nowego Roku!
Feliz Ano Novo!
An Nou fericit!
Šťastný nový rok!
Srečno novo leto!
Gott Nytt År!
Hyvää uutta vuotta!
In March, EU #oil imports from Russia fell by 90% compared to the 2019-2022 average. EU sanctions against #Russia and the G7 price cap on Russian petrol and related products are delivering results.
You are in control of the data you share. Full stop.
The #GDPR has put you in control of your personal data, including enshrining consent to its processing and the right to be forgotten.
As of January, the European Data Act will extend your rights to connected products by making it easy to access and move any data generated – whether it's about personal data or not.
On #DataProtectionDay, we ask you: What are the most important advancements for you? 👇
🚄 What if you could travel through the EU for a month for free?
This year we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Single Market, which allows us to enjoy free movement of goods, capital, services and people across the #EU.
That’s why we are giving away 10 prizes of two rail passes to explore Europe’s rich cultural heritage for a month.
The Matrix.org Foundation is proud to join with over 400 security experts, researchers, and NGOs in sounding the alarm about the EU's proposed eIDAS reform.
As written, the proposal radically expands the ability of governments to surveil their citizens and residents across the EU.