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eco - Verband der Internetwirtschaft

eco

eco represents around 1,000 internet industry companies in Germany, including internet service providers, carriers, software firms, and content providers.

Lobbying Activity

eco Internet association urges EU to avoid new digital regulations

24 Oct 2025
Topic — This consultation evaluates gaps in consumer protection regarding harmful online commercial practices.
Message — The association urges strengthening enforcement of existing rules rather than establishing new obligations. They argue that dark patterns and addictive designs are already prohibited under current rules. The priority should be to simplify and streamline rules for all businesses.12
Why — This approach avoids creating an additional layer of regulation that increases compliance burdens.34
Impact — Vulnerable consumers lose targeted safeguards against digital practices that exploit their specific vulnerabilities.5
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Internet industry association eco urges EU digital simplification

14 Oct 2025
Topic — The Commission proposes simplifying digital laws to reduce business administrative burdens.
Message — The group calls for streamlining overlapping cybersecurity reporting and harmonizing data regulations. They suggest a 'stop-the-clock' mechanism to give companies more time to implement pending rules. They also oppose new cookie regulations, requesting clarification of existing rules instead.123
Why — Harmonization would reduce high compliance costs and prevent unsustainable, short-term business investments.45
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Internet industry association calls for including hotlines in NGO strategy

4 Sept 2025
Topic — The Commission is developing a strategy to support and protect civil society organisations.
Message — The organization suggests that initiatives like hotlines should be included in the strategy alongside NGOs. They advocate for a comprehensive information strategy to protect actors from public misunderstandings and repression. Finally, they request reliable funding with transparent timelines to ensure organizational stability.123
Why — Formal inclusion would provide hotlines with enhanced institutional protection and secure long-term financial support.45
Impact — Groups spreading misinformation lose their influence if the EU implements more effective public education.6
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Internet industry group eco calls for simplified EU data rules

18 Jul 2025
Topic — Consultation on a strategy to streamline data rules and boost sharing.
Message — The group requests a simplified, harmonized legal environment to resolve conflicts between the GDPR, Data Act, and Data Governance Act. They also push for interoperable data spaces and the removal of barriers to international data flows.12
Why — Harmonized rules and protected monetization rights would reduce legal uncertainty and ensure profitability for data-driven business models.34
Impact — National authorities lose their power to implement divergent rules or enforce mandatory data localization requirements within the EU.56
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German internet association urges harmonised rules to protect competition

11 Jul 2025
Topic — A new European initiative aimed at modernising digital infrastructure and boosting high-speed connectivity.
Message — The association advocates for a harmonised regulatory framework to simplify rules and reduce administrative burdens. They demand that market consolidation be strictly evaluated to prevent reduced consumer choice and higher costs. They oppose regulatory intervention in IP interconnection agreements unless clear market failure is proven.123
Why — Harmonisation would lower operational costs for internet firms by removing fragmented national requirements.4
Impact — Consumers could suffer from higher prices if market consolidation reduces competition among providers.5
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eco Urges Faster Data Centre Permitting and Open Cloud Markets

20 Jun 2025
Topic — EU consultation on tripling data processing capacity through sustainable cloud and AI investments.
Message — Designate priority areas for data centres and simplify authorisation procedures. Maintain an open market including both European and international cloud providers.12
Why — Lowering administrative burdens will improve investment security and accelerate infrastructure project realisation.34
Impact — Geographic restrictions on cloud services could disadvantage international providers and limit technological innovation.56
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Eco Urges Stronger Independence for EU Cybersecurity Agency ENISA

20 Jun 2025
Topic — The European Commission is revising the Cybersecurity Act and ENISA’s permanent mandate.
Message — Eco calls for granting ENISA more autonomy to act as an independent expert. They want certification aligned with global standards and streamlined reporting to reduce bureaucracy.1234
Why — Standardized rules and simplified reporting would reduce compliance costs for internet service providers.56
Impact — Proponents of technological sovereignty may lose control as ENISA gains more operational independence.7
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Internet association eco warns against unlawful blanket data retention

18 Jun 2025
Topic — The European Commission is assessing harmonized rules for criminal metadata retention.
Message — The association rejects blanket data retention as a violation of privacy rights. Existing evidence laws are sufficient. Any new rules would create unnecessary legal uncertainty.12
Why — Preventing new rules avoids heavy compliance costs and operational burdens for businesses.3
Impact — Law enforcement may lose access to metadata required to investigate serious crimes.4
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eco Internet Association Urges Broad Sectoral Support for AI

4 Jun 2025
Topic — The European Commission is developing a strategy to promote industrial AI applications.
Message — The association requests that the strategy support all sectors instead of only specific industries. They call for funding for smaller firms and unbureaucratic rules for specialist immigration.123
Why — European internet firms would benefit from more funding, less regulatory uncertainty, and expanded markets.4
Impact — Non-European technology providers may lose market share as the EU prioritizes local development.5
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Meeting with Manuel Mateo Goyet (Acting Head of Unit Communications Networks, Content and Technology)

2 Jun 2025 · Exchange of views on Federated Ecosystems and potential synergies

eco warns against new internet security and data mandates

12 Mar 2025
Topic — The Commission is consulting on a strategy to address security threats and digital technology.
Message — The association demands evaluating existing laws before introducing new legislative or regulatory activity. They strongly oppose data retention and any measures that could undermine encryption or cybersecurity.123
Why — This approach avoids new compliance costs and reduces legal uncertainty for internet companies.4
Impact — Law enforcement agencies lose the potential for expanded data access and retention powers.5
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Response to Rules specifying the obligations laid down in Articles 21(5) and 23(11) of the NIS 2 Directive

25 Jul 2024

About eco: With more than 1,100 member companies, eco is the largest Internet industry association in Europe. Since 1995, eco has been instrumental in shaping the Internet, fostering new technologies, forming framework conditions, and representing the interests of members in politics and international committees. The focal points of the association are the reliability and strengthening of digital infrastructure, IT security, trust, and ethically oriented digitalisation. That is why eco advocates for a free, technology-neutral, and high-performance Internet.
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Internet industry group eco urges EU to include data centers

28 Jun 2024
Topic — The consultation seeks views on future connectivity networks and digital infrastructure needs.
Message — The group calls for the Commission to include data centers in its digital strategy. They recommend accelerating security standards for quantum computing and avoiding mandatory copper network shutdowns.123
Why — Including data centers in infrastructure plans would secure more investment and support for their members.4
Impact — Telecommunications incumbents face difficulties if forced to meet unrealistic copper-to-fiber migration deadlines.5
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German Internet Industry Association Supports CSAM Directive with Key Amendments

21 May 2024
Topic — EU directive proposal on combating child sexual abuse and exploitation online.
Message — The association requests amendments to strengthen notice-and-takedown procedures and the role of hotlines in removing child sexual abuse material. They want Article 5 amended to explicitly include takedown requests as part of hotline activities. They also ask to reconsider provisions criminalizing solicitation of all minors under 18, preferring alignment with age of sexual consent laws.123
Why — This would provide legal certainty for their member companies and streamline their established hotline procedures.456
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Europe’s Largest Internet Association Demands Proportional GDPR Implementation

8 Feb 2024
Topic — The Commission is reporting on the application of the GDPR six years after its implementation.
Message — The association calls for proportionate rules and clearer guidance for small businesses and research institutions. They advocate for realistic anonymization standards and a stable framework for international data transfers.12
Why — Lowering compliance barriers and administrative complexity would allow internet companies to innovate more effectively.34
Impact — Consumer privacy protections could weaken if data anonymization standards are lowered for economic reasons.5
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Response to Reporting scheme for data centres in Europe

15 Jan 2024

eco Association of the Internet Industry is in favor of policy measures promoting the efficiency-oriented and demand-driven expansion of data centres (DC) and supports the establishment of common European standards for the energy-efficient and climate-neutral operation of data centres. Common standards across the EU are necessary to ensure the continued improvement of energy efficiency in data centres while maintaining a level playing field. However, in establishing common reporting standards the Commission must ensure that the competitiveness of the European data centre sector is not compromised through the creation of undifferentiated performance standards and undue administrative burden. Thus, eco welcomes the opportunity to participate in the consultation and to provide feedback on the proposed reporting regime. For more detailed feedback, please see the file attached.
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Meeting with Paul Tang (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and Meta Platforms Ireland Limited and its various subsidiaries and INHOPE - International Association of Internet Hotlines

4 May 2023 · Staff Level: INHOPE roundtable on the role of hotlines in combating child sexual abuse (CSA)

Meeting with Paul Tang (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and Snap, Inc. and Terre des Hommes International Federation

15 Feb 2023 · Child Sexual Abuse Regulation

Meeting with Paul Tang (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and European Digital Rights

30 Jan 2023 · Panellist at event ECO on Child Sexual Abuse Regulation

eco urges clearer rules and deadlines for Cyber Resilience Act

1 Jan 2023
Topic — The proposal establishes horizontal cybersecurity requirements for all digital products and services.
Message — eco recommends extending reporting deadlines and clarifying rules for open-source software developers. They seek better protection for trade secrets during mandatory security assessments.12
Why — These changes would reduce administrative burdens and protect sensitive commercial data.34
Impact — Network operators risk bearing liability for insecure products after manufacturer support expires.5
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Internet industry association eco warns against new AI liability rules

28 Nov 2022
Topic — The EU is proposing new rules to help victims claim damages for AI-related harm.
Message — The association suggests delaying the directive until the AI Act is finalized. They argue against including non-material damages and oppose shifting the burden of proof.1234
Why — The proposal would lower operational costs for companies and safeguard their proprietary algorithms.56
Impact — Victims of AI-driven discrimination would find it significantly harder to seek legal compensation.7
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German Internet Industry Urges Major Changes to Child Protection Regulation

12 Sept 2022
Topic — EU regulation requiring online platforms to detect and report child sexual abuse material.
Message — The organization requests fundamental revisions to the proposed regulation, particularly regarding mandatory scanning requirements and network blocking provisions. They argue the regulation lacks clarity on implementation requirements for different service providers and fails to adequately consider the situation of small and medium-sized enterprises. They advocate for building on existing complaint hotline structures rather than creating new EU-level institutions.123
Why — This would reduce compliance burdens and avoid costly technical implementations for their members.456
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Response to Cyber Resilience Act

20 May 2022

About eco: With more than 1,000 member companies, eco is the largest Internet industry association in Europe. Since 1995, eco has been instrumental in shaping the Internet, fostering new technologies, forming framework conditions, and representing the interests of members in politics and international committees. The focal points of the association are the reliability and strengthening of digital infrastructure, IT security, trust, and ethically oriented digitalisation. That is why eco advocates for a free, technology-neutral, and high-performance Internet.
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Internet group eco warns Data Act creates excessive bureaucracy

13 May 2022
Topic — The European Commission is consulting on rules for sharing and using industrial data.
Message — The association requests stronger protections for trade secrets and more incentives for data holders. They argue for narrower definitions of government data access and flexible implementation deadlines. They also seek a clearer regulatory distinction between personal and industrial data.123
Why — Reducing these requirements would lower compliance costs and protect proprietary business secrets.4
Impact — Public authorities would find it harder to access private data for non-emergency tasks.5
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Response to VAT in the Digital Age

15 Mar 2022

Mit über 1.100 Mitgliedsunternehmen ist eco der größte Verband der Internetwirtschaft in Europa. Seit 1995 gestaltet eco maßgeblich das Internet, fördert neue Technologien, schafft Rahmenbedingungen und vertritt die Interessen seiner Mitglieder gegenüber der Politik und in internationalen Gremien. Die Zuverlässigkeit und Stärkung der digitalen Infrastruktur, IT-Sicherheit und Vertrauen sowie eine ethisch orientierte Digitalisierung bilden Schwerpunkte der Verbandsarbeit. eco setzt sich für ein freies, technikneutrales und leistungsstarkes Internet ein.
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Response to Guidance on accelerating permitting processes for renewable energy projects and facilitating Power Purchase Agreements

15 Mar 2022

Mit über 1.100 Mitgliedsunternehmen ist eco der größte Verband der Internetwirtschaft in Europa. Seit 1995 gestaltet eco maßgeblich das Internet, fördert neue Technologien, schafft Rahmenbedingungen und vertritt die Interessen seiner Mitglieder gegenüber der Politik und in internationalen Gremien. Die Zuverlässigkeit und Stärkung der digitalen Infrastruktur, IT-Sicherheit und Vertrauen sowie eine ethisch orientierte Digitalisierung bilden Schwerpunkte der Verbandsarbeit. eco setzt sich für ein freies, technikneutrales und leistungsstarkes Internet ein.
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Response to Minimum level of taxation for large multinational groups

18 Feb 2022

eco – Verband der Internetwirtschaft e.V. unterstützt die Einigung der OECD sowie die damit einhergehenden Umsetzungsbemühungen der EU-Kommission. Mit der internationalen Einigung zur Lösung von Besteuerungsfragen und der damit einhergehenden Umsetzung auf europäischer Ebene werden zahlreiche Bedenken der Internetwirtschaft aus der bisherigen Debatte aufgegriffen. Nach Einschätzung von eco wären sowohl eine europäische (z.B. Richtlinienentwurf der EU-Kommission zur Besteuerung von Unternehmen mit signifikanter digitaler Präsenz) oder auch nationale Lösungen (z.B. Besteuerung digitaler Unternehmen in Spanien, Frankreich, Österreich) für international tätige Unternehmen mit diversen Risiken, z.B. der Doppelbesteuerung oder der Diskriminierung einzelner Erträge, einhergegangen. Zu dem von der EU-Kommission vorgelegten Richtlinienentwurf möchte eco nachfolgende Punkte in die weitere Diskussion einbringen. - Vereinbarung eines kohärenten Regelwerks auf globaler Ebene - Vermeidung der Sonder- oder Doppelbesteuerung - Keine Diskriminierung digital erwirtschafteter Erträge Die vollständige Position ist dem Anhang zu entnehmen.
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Response to Revision of the Renewable Energy Directive (EU) 2018/2001

18 Nov 2021

With the European Green Deal, the European Commission presented an ambitious growth and transformation strategy in December 2019, which is intended to bring about climate neutrality for Europe by 2050. In response to this landmark decision, the European Parliament and the European Council have committed to realigning the European climate targets for 2030. In line with the decision of the European Parliament and the European Council, the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions will have been reduced by 55 per cent compared to 1990. To achieve this ambitious goal and to develop the necessary framework conditions for the economy, society and industry, the European Commission presented the “Fit for 55” package in Brussels in July 2021. The “Fit for 55” package includes a proposal to reform the Renewable Energy Directive. eco – Association of the Internet Industry and the Alliance for the Strengthening of Digital Infrastructures in Germany, founded under the umbrella of eco, support the proposal to reform the Renewable Energy Directive. Digital infrastructures consist of, inter alia, colocation, cloud, edge or hyperscale data centres, which serve as the cornerstone of digital ecosystems and the backbone of digitalisation. To enable the efficient and climate-neutral production and operation of information and communication technologies, the expansion of renewable energy in Europe needs to be more ambitious, and the processes required to do so (e.g., planning and approval processes) need to be accelerated. Despite the restructuring process that has already started in the European energy system, more than 70 per cent of the greenhouse gas emissions generated in Europe still stem from the energy supply and the energy system. The Renewable Energy Directive was already introduced in 2009 and is seen as the European basis for the expansion of renewable energies. In addition to regulations on the climate-neutral restructuring of the European energy system, the directive also contains provisions on the distribution of renewable energy and thus offers potential for investments, innovations, and future-proof employment. eco would like to introduce the following points into the further consultation on the reform proposal. - Advance the ambitious roll-out of renewable energies - Enhance the usage potential of Power Purchase Agreements - Establish an attractive legal framework for the utilisation of waste heat from renewable-powered industrial and commercial plants The full position can be found in the attachment.
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Response to Review of Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency

18 Nov 2021

With the European Green Deal, the European Commission presented an ambitious growth and transformation strategy in December 2019, which is intended to bring about climate neutrality for Europe by 2050. In response to this landmark decision, the European Parliament and the European Council have committed to realigning the European climate targets for 2030. By 2030, it is planned that the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions will have been reduced by 55 per cent compared to 1990, in line with the decision of the European Parliament and the European Council. In order to achieve this ambitious goal and to develop the necessary framework conditions for the economy, society and industry, the EU Commission presented the “Fit for 55” package in Brussels in July 2021. The “Fit for 55” package includes a proposal for the reform of the Energy Efficiency Directive. eco – Association of the Internet Industry and the Alliance for the Strengthening of Digital Infrastructures in Germany, founded under the umbrella of eco, support the EU Commission’s proposal for the reform of the Energy Efficiency Directive, although a number of points need to be discussed further. Digital infrastructures consist of, inter alia, colocation, cloud, edge or hyperscale data centres, which serve as the cornerstone of digital ecosystems and the backbone of digitalisation. In order to enable the efficient and climate-neutral production and operation of information and communication technologies, realistic and proportionate efficiency requirements need to be stipulated. An examination of the energy efficiency efforts to date shows that European economic output has increased by 62 per cent compared to the base year 1990, while the associated emissions have decreased by just under 24 per cent. The decoupling of economic performance and emissions makes it clear that the efficiency of the European economy could be noticeably increased. The Energy Efficiency Directive was already introduced in 2012 and is considered the European basis for efficiency improvements in the economy. To this end, the regulations contain requirements for efficiency increases measured in terms of final or primary energy demand. eco would like to introduce the following points into the further discussion on the reform proposal. - Promote energy-efficient and sustainability-oriented operation of data centres - Devise European standards for the energy-efficiency assessment of data centres - Definition of the data centre term must be flexible and future-oriented - Create incentives for the integration of data centres into the energy system The full position can be found in the attachment.
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Response to Requirements for Artificial Intelligence

2 Aug 2021

About eco: With over 1,100 member companies, eco is the largest Internet industry association in Europe. Since 1995 eco has been instrumental in shaping the Internet, fostering new technologies, forming framework conditions, and representing the interests of members in politics and international committees. eco’s key topics are the reliability and strengthening of digital infrastructure, IT security, and trust, ethics, and self-regulation. That is why eco advocates for a free, technologically-neutral, and high-performance Internet.
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Response to Data Act (including the review of the Directive 96/9/EC on the legal protection of databases)

25 Jun 2021

About eco: With over 1,100 member companies, eco is the largest Internet industry association in Europe. Since 1995 eco has been instrumental in shaping the Internet, fostering new technologies, forming framework conditions, and representing the interests of members in politics and international committees. eco’s key topics are the reliability and strengthening of digital infrastructure, IT security, and trust, ethics, and self-regulation. That is why eco advocates for a free, technologically-neutral, and high-performance Internet.
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Meeting with Daniel Mes (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans)

20 Apr 2021 · Participation in online debate on ICT sector and the European Green Deal

Response to Digital Services Act: deepening the Internal Market and clarifying responsibilities for digital services

25 Mar 2021

eco welcomes the opportunity to share its initial view on the proposed regulation, and we look forward to further specifying the initial, subsequent remarks in the near future. eco acknowledges the ambitious proposal and welcomes the Commission’s approach with regard to the continuation of the existing liability exemptions, which have been carried over from the E-Commerce Directive (ECD) into the Digital Services Act (DSA). As we have previously remarked in our guidelines on the liability of Internet service providers, it is, among other things, paramount to have uniform rules for the Single Market, to maintain fair and reasonable liability exemptions, clarify some aspects of the notice and take-down framework, and to have legal certainty and clear definitions. Therefore, we support the Commission’s approach, specifically the targeted scope, requiring different rules for different services. The term ‘digital services’ encompasses a large number of companies, business models, or services; many of whom play technically or practically little to no role in the proliferation of illegal content online. For example, the business model of some business-to-business (B2B) services providers result in completely different access to the services offered and to the content received than with some platforms operating in the consumer space (B2C). Therefore, applying the same enhanced obligations to which hosting services or even online platforms are subject to mere conduit, caching or ‘pure’ hosting services would inappropriately add unnecessary burdens on them with regard to enhanced obligations. An example of such services are some cloud services, which are far removed from content and do not or, more likely, cannot technically interact with it. Not only that, it would also put such services at a disadvantage on an international market without making any significant contribution to the fight against illegal content. Finally, eco sees multiple provisions that raise a concern and run the risk, e.g., of breaking the established trusted flagger process, of weakening the country-of-origin principle (and conditions for exceptions as established by the ECD today), of over-burdening transparency obligations and of introducing an overly extensive fines regiment. Please find eco's position paper on the Digital Services Act in full length attached.
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Response to Revision of the NIS Directive

10 Feb 2021

Über eco Mit über 1.100 Mitgliedsunternehmen ist eco der größte Verband der Internetwirtschaft in Europa. Seit 1995 gestaltet eco maßgeblich das Internet, fördert neue Technologien, schafft Rahmenbedingungen und vertritt die Interessen seiner Mitglieder gegenüber der Politik und in internationalen Gremien. Die Zuverlässigkeit und Stärkung der digitalen Infrastruktur, IT-Sicherheit und Vertrauen sowie eine ethisch orientierte Digitalisierung bilden Schwerpunkte der Verbandsarbeit. eco setzt sich für ein freies, technikneutrales und leistungsstarkes Internet ein.
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Response to Legislative framework for the governance of common European data spaces

25 Jan 2021

Über eco Mit über 1.100 Mitgliedsunternehmen ist eco der größte Verband der Internetwirtschaft in Europa. Seit 1995 gestaltet eco maßgeblich das Internet, fördert neue Technologien, schafft Rahmenbedingungen und vertritt die Interessen seiner Mitglieder gegenüber der Politik und in internationalen Gremien. Die Zuverlässigkeit und Stärkung der digitalen Infrastruktur, IT-Sicherheit und Vertrauen sowie eine ethisch orientierte Digitalisierung bilden Schwerpunkte der Verbandsarbeit. eco setzt sich für ein freies, technikneutrales und leistungsstarkes Internet ein.
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Response to European Digital Identity (EUid)

28 Aug 2020

Mit über 1.100 Mitgliedsunternehmen ist eco der größte Verband der Internetwirtschaft in Europa. Seit 1995 gestaltet eco maßgeblich das Internet, fördert neue Technologien, schafft Rahmenbedingungen und vertritt die Interessen seiner Mitglieder gegenüber der Politik und in internationalen Gremien. Die Zuverlässigkeit und Stärkung der digitalen Infrastruktur, IT-Sicherheit und Vertrauen sowie eine ethisch orientierte Digitalisierung bilden Schwerpunkte der Verbandsarbeit. eco setzt sich für ein freies, technikneutrales und leistungsstarkes Internet ein.
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Response to Revision of the NIS Directive

12 Aug 2020

Über eco: Mit über 1.100 Mitgliedsunternehmen ist eco der größte Verband der Internetwirtschaft in Europa. Seit 1995 gestaltet eco maßgeblich das Internet, fördert neue Technologien, schafft Rahmenbedingungen und vertritt die Interessen seiner Mitglieder gegenüber der Politik und in internationalen Gremien. Die Zuverlässigkeit und Stärkung der digitalen Infrastruktur, IT-Sicherheit und Vertrauen sowie eine ethisch orientierte Digitalisierung bilden Schwerpunkte der Verbandsarbeit. eco setzt sich für ein freies, technikneutrales und leistungsstarkes Internet ein.
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Response to Legislative framework for the governance of common European data spaces

30 Jul 2020

Mit über 1.100 Mitgliedsunternehmen ist eco der größte Verband der Internetwirtschaft in Europa. Seit 1995 gestaltet eco maßgeblich das Internet, fördert neue Technologien, schafft Rahmenbedingungen und vertritt die Interessen seiner Mitglieder gegenüber der Politik und in internationalen Gremien. Die Zuverlässigkeit und Stärkung der digitalen Infrastruktur, IT-Sicherheit und Vertrauen sowie eine ethisch orientierte Digitalisierung bilden Schwerpunkte der Verbandsarbeit. eco setzt sich für ein freies, technikneutrales und leistungsstarkes Internet ein.
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Response to Strengthening of Europol’s mandate

3 Jul 2020

Mit über 1.100 Mitgliedsunternehmen ist eco der größte Verband der Internetwirtschaft in Europa. Seit 1995 gestaltet eco maßgeblich das Internet, fördert neue Technologien, schafft Rahmenbedingungen und vertritt die Interessen seiner Mitglieder gegenüber der Politik und in internationalen Gremien. Die Zuverlässigkeit und Stärkung der digitalen Infrastruktur, IT-Sicherheit und Vertrauen sowie eine ethisch orientierte Digitalisierung bilden Schwerpunkte der Verbandsarbeit. eco setzt sich für ein freies, technikneutrales und leistungsstarkes Internet ein.
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Response to Report on the application of the General Data Protection Regulation

29 Apr 2020

Mit der Datenschutzgrundverordnung (DSGVO) hat Europa den Rahmen für die zukünftige Ausgestaltung des Schutzes von personenbezogenen Daten gesetzt. Zersplitterte Regulierung, die bislang in nationalen Datenschutzgesetzen unterschiedlich gehandhabt wurde, wurde in einer zentralen europäischen Verordnung gebündelt, systematisiert und nach denselben Prinzipien aufgestellt. Insgesamt ist damit ein zwar strenger, aber grundsätzlich funktionierender Rechtsrahmen geschaffen worden, der für die Entwicklung des digitalen Binnenmarktes ein zentraler Eckpfeiler und Erfolgsfaktor ist. Für den 25. Mai 2020 steht nun der in der Verordnung vorgesehene Bericht der EU-Kommission über die Anwendung der DSGVO und deren Bewertung an. eco – Verband der Internetwirtschaft e.V. hält die europäische DSGVO mitsamt den dort verankerten Prinzipien für eine grundsätzlich notwendige und begrüßenswerte Regelung. Funktionierender Datenschutz ist ein zentraler Aspekt des Vertrauens in digitale Dienste und deren Nutzung. Für eine umfassende und tiefgehende Analyse und Bewertung der DSGVO dürfte es nach jetzigem Stand zu früh sein, da der etablierte Rechtsrahmen noch durch eine entsprechende Entscheidungspraxis in den Aufsichtsbehörden und nicht zuletzt bei strittigen Fragen auch durch eine nötige Spruchpraxis bei Gericht ergänzt werden muss. Von daher können sowohl der Bericht zur DSGVO als auch eine entsprechende Kommentierung nur unter diesem Vorbehalt erfolgen. Gleichzeitig haben sich in der kurzen Zeit seit Inkrafttreten der DSGVO einige Fragen herauskristallisiert, die aus Sicht von eco der weiteren Erörterung bedürfen. In dem beigefügten Dokument übersende ich Ihnen die Stellungnahme von eco - Verband der Internetwirtschaft e.V. zur Evaluierung der DSGVO.
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Meeting with Axel Voss (Member of the European Parliament)

24 Mar 2020 · Artificial Intelligence

Response to Measures to further improve the effectiveness of the fight against illegal content online

29 Mar 2018

eco - Verband der Internetwirtschaft bedankt sich für die Möglichkeit, zu der Empfehlung der Kommission für wirksame Maßnahmen im Umgang mit illegalen Online-Inhalten Stellung nehmen zu können. Die Kritikpunkte des Verbandes finden Sie im anliegenden Papier.
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Meeting with Carl-Christian Buhr (Cabinet of Commissioner Mariya Gabriel)

27 Feb 2018 · Internet Economy - Copyright, E-Privacy, Cybersecurity

Response to Commission Implementing Regulation pursuant Art 16(8) of NIS Directive

10 Oct 2017

eco – Association of the Internet Industry fosters all companies that create economic value with or in the Internet and represents their interests. The association currently represents more than 1,000 member companies. These include, among others, ISPs (Internet Service Providers), carriers, hardware and software suppliers, content and service providers, and communication companies. eco is the largest national Internet Service Provider association in Europe.
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Response to Improving cross-border access to electronic evidence in criminal matters

31 Aug 2017

eco – Verband der Internetwirtschaft e.V. versteht sich als Interessenvertreter und Förderer aller Unternehmen, die mit dem Internet wirtschaftliche Wertschöpfung betreiben. Der Verband vertritt derzeit rund 1000 Mitgliedsunternehmen. Hierzu zählen unter anderem ISP (Internet Service Provider), Carrier, Hard- und Softwarelieferanten, Content- und Service-Anbieter sowie Kommunikationsunternehmen. eco ist damit der größte nationale Internet Service Provider-Verband Europas.
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Meeting with Maximilian Strotmann (Cabinet of Vice-President Andrus Ansip)

3 May 2016 · DSM