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DIGITALEUROPE Headlines, a bi-weekly digest of our activities. 
DIGITALEUROPE Headlines A bi-weekly digest of our activities
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Words of introduction

Dear all,

Well-deserved summer holidays are approaching for many of us, and it is a great pleasure to begin the summer with such positive developments on the copyright file!

It is an excellent news that last week’s EP plenary has rejected the report adopted by the legal affairs committee, and that MEPs have decided to take more time for discussion and amendments. Let me thank Jochen Mistiaen, our senior policy manager, for his leadership on the copyright file as well as all Members who have actively contributed to this collective success! We now look forward to working closely with all relevant stakeholders to get a balanced and proportionate final outcome that truly supports innovation and ensures that the creative sector remains healthy.
 
The second very good news of this early summer is the signature of the EU-Japan free trade agreement which sends a strong signal in favour of free trade around the world! While we acknowledge the review clause allowing for the free flow of data between both partners, we consider that they have missed the opportunity to set an example by not including such a provision from the start. Having said that, we welcome the progress of the discussions on mutual adequacy decisions for the EU and Japan, respectively. 
 
On a personal note, I enjoyed the first meeting of the European Commission’ AI High-Level Group, and I look forward to discussing the principles of ethics as a guide to all stakeholders during the next meetings. Working on a common European framework on ethics is of critical importance. Not only would it be a great step towards European unity, it would also pave the way for a global framework ensuring that AI is used for innovation, good and prosperity. Please mark the 22nd of October in your calendar, as DIGITALEUROPE will be hosting a high-level event on digital transformation and AI!

We also looked at the outcome of the last European Council, where national leaders recalled their ambition to adapt taxation systems to the digital era. For several months, DIGITALEUROPE has been urging EU Members States and relevant stakeholders to consider a common OECD path instead of pushing an agenda that lacks common agreement among EU countries and will, therefore, lead to further fragmentation on the key theme of economic collaboration in Europe. We will keep working in that direction after the summer, and we stand ready to deliver all necessary inputs in order to support all national leaders in finding a global solution.

Finally, let me tell you how proud and grateful I am to work with such a great team at DIGITALEUROPE! As we went to the Netherlands for a two-day team building exercise, I realised once again how lucky I am to work with so many great and talented people. Our stay in the Dutch countryside was a great experience and, in between the working sessions where we reviewed priorities and internal collaboration methods, we had so much fun working with farmers, barbecuing and competing with bows and arrows!

Thank you all, our newsletter will resume in the second half of August, and I wish you and your dear ones a sunny and lovely summer holiday!

Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl
Newsletter content
  1. Policy outreach
  2. Spotted in the press
  3. Tweet of the week
  4. DIGITALEUROPE press release
  5. Latest policy information
  6. Future events

Policy outreach

Director General's forthcoming speaking engagements

Copyright Win in the European Parliament

After a long and intense campaign, together with many partners across civil society and our national trade associations, we have managed to convince the Parliament that the proposed text on the Copyright Directive is not fit for purpose. The European Parliament rejected the report adopted by the JURI CommitteeWe welcome the decision and will support all stakeholders in reaching a balanced and proportionate final outcome. See the statement we released ahead of the plenary vote, and the results of the vote.

European Commission's High-Level Group on Artificial Intelligence

Director-General Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl participated in the 1st meeting of the European Commission’s AI High-level Group on 27 June. Now that the work of the group has started, the Commission invites all stakeholders to register to the AI alliance online platform where they can offer input and feedback to the AI HLG. Register now to take part in the online discussions and check out Cecilia’s latest blogpost on AI and Ethics.

Digital Skills for greater labour market inclusion

On 26 June, DG Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl took the stage at the Digital Assembly in Sofia where she moderated a panel on Digital skills for greater labour market inclusion. Cecilia stressed that without the right skills people fall behind. If too many are not equipped to seize the opportunities of the digital world, it is the whole of society that starts to falls apart. Investing in digital skills and lifelong learning is not an option, it is an imperative! Read more

EU Cybersecurity certification framework

Ahead of the adoption of the « cybersecurity act » report by the European Parliament’s  ITRE Committee, DIGITALEUROPE has partnered with other organisations to remind MEPs that the voluntary approach to certification is key and that allowing for self-declaration of conformity is fundamental to streamline the certification process and make it accessible to all market actors. DIGITALEUROPE will keep urging the co-legislators to defend the voluntary nature of the framework in the upcoming trilogue negotiations. Check out the joint industry letter.

Modernising EU Export Control for Encryption Products 

DIGITALEUROPE fully endorses the objectives of the European Commission’s proposal to reform the EU Export Control Regime in order to address the latest technological and political developments. In particular, DIGITALEUROPE welcomes the proposal for the introduction of the new EU General Authorisations for encryption. Watch the video showing why the proposed licensing simplification for encryption products in the Recast of the Export Control Regulation is fully justified and necessary. 

Call for Vice-Chairs

The Chemicals, Ecodesign and Waste Clusters within the Digital Sustainability Policy Group are looking for one or two vice-chairs for each cluster. If interested, please contact Lara Visser by 24 July.

DIGITALEUROPE's staff away day

On 28 and 29 June, DIGITALEUROPE’s colleagues embarked in a two-day team building journey in The Netherlands. This was a great opportunity for the staff to learn more about group dynamics and reinforce working methods across teams. We organised various working sessions on these themes, and got a chance to test our “team spirit” during lively exercises at the farm and in the countryside.  

Spotted in the press

The Guardian, UK
EU votes for copyright law that would make internet a 'tool for control'
Read more
EU Policies, EU
The EU's proposed copyright laws: protecting creators or a 'tool for surveillance'?
Read more
Research, EU
Dismay over EU copyright laws that could 'break the internet'
Read more

Tweets of the week

DIGITALEUROPE press releases

Latest policy information

Future events

External
MYDATA 2018
August 21-31, Helsinki
Event detail
 
DIGITALEUROPE Open House
September 18, Brussels

Take a look at our planned events for after the summer


14 rue de la Science, 1040 Brussels
Tel: +32 2 609 53 10 | lionel.sola@digitaleurope.org 

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