03-02-2017 12:00 AM CET
Canada
is looking to diversify its trade partners in order to reduce its
dependence on the US business cycle. The Comprehensive Economic and
Trade Agreement (CETA) between the EU and Canada promises to increase
trade between these two like-minded partners. This infographic, prepared
in close cooperation between EPRS and GlobalStat, provides key
information on Canadian trade and economic indicators, as well as on its
commercial links with the European Union.
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
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03-02-2017 12:00 AM CET
The
technological, economic and social landscape has significantly changed
since the adoption of Directive 2002/58 on privacy in electronic
communications. In spite of targeted amendments adopted in 2009, the
current text of the directive does not entirely reflect recent
evolutions in the sector and in consumers' habits. Some of the most
notable changes in this respect include the entry of new types of
players on the market and the widespread usage of internet-based
services, such as instant messaging, with a potential impact on the
effectiveness of existing ePrivacy rules. In addition, the adoption of
the General Data Protection Regulation in 2016 has altered the
legislative framework on data protection, possibly calling into question
the relevance and continued coherence of the ePrivacy Directive with
the new legislation. Evidence collected to evaluate the effectiveness,
efficiency, coherence, relevance and EU added value of Directive
2002/58, as well as the feedback gathered by the European Commission
through targeted workshops, an online public consultation and a
Eurobarometer survey, have confirmed the existence of various
challenges. These were also raised during a dedicated conference
organised by the European Parliament in 2015. In particular, some of the
key provisions of the directive have not been fully effective in
delivering the intended levels of confidentiality and protection
envisaged by the legislator. This is the case of Article 5(3), for
instance, on cookies and other techniques to store and access
information on users' equipment, a point that was raised on various
occasions also by the Members of the European Parliament. Moreover, it
appears that some parts of Directive 2002/58 have become technologically
obsolete or that better legal approaches have been adopted in the
meantime. Finally, an analysis of the implementation of EU ePrivacy
rules in the Member States pointed to various degrees of legal
fragmentation, the coexistence of different levels of protection across
the EU, and a complex governance structure with responsibilities for
implementation and enforcement allocated to different types of
authorities, at times even within the same country. Overall, this has
contributed to a lack of legal certainty and clarity, and the absence of
a level playing field across Europe. On the other hand, the EU added
value and the overall relevance of having dedicated provisions
protecting privacy and ensuring the practical application of Article 7
of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, was
repeatedly confirmed. Indeed, a modernisation of the current rules is a
central component of the EU's digital single market strategy, and is
expected to restore and increase citizens' and businesses' trust in the
digital environment. On 10 January 2017, the European Commission adopted
a proposal to repeal Directive 2002/58 and replace it with a regulation
to address several of the issues outlined above, to simplify existing
rules and to make them future-proof. The co-legislators will now have
the task of finding a balance between the various conflicting positions
and expectations that have emerged throughout the process leading to the
directive's review.
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
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03-02-2017 12:00 AM CET
Allegations
of interference in the US electoral campaign in 2016 through cyber
espionage and leaks have put the spotlight on cyber-security and
cybercrime, not only for ensuring financial or strategic advantages, but
increasingly as means of pursuing political aims. As digital
technologies grow in importance, the clear view among analysts is that
cyber-crime is becoming a major threat to governments, businesses and
societies as a whole. This note offers links to reports and commentaries
from some major international think tanks and research institutes on
cyber-security and related issues.
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
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