zarasophos - Network

The @EUCommission doesn't want to say anything about whether it plans to introduce #BuyEuropean rules for when EU authorities procure...

The @EUCommission doesn't want to say anything about whether it plans to introduce #BuyEuropean rules for when EU authorities procure software, cloud etc. Too early in the review process, spokesperson said just now. #Eurostack

My full article, in German, at @TspBackgroundDi...

My full article, in German, at @TspBackgroundDi

https://background.tagesspiegel.de/digitalisierung-und-ki/briefing/was-sich-bei-den-eu-regeln-aendern-koennte

@sraible from open source association @apell wants authorities to buy open source by default. The German start-up association...

@sraible from open source association @apell wants authorities to buy open source by default. The German start-up association Startup-Verband calls for easier and harmonised procurement that should be more accessible to start-ups.

So will the Commission include the digital sector in those strategic sectors with an EU preference? We’ll have to wait and see – According to its own roadmap, the Commission won’t publish its procurement reform proposal before next year.

Other voices are much more enthusiastic about the idea, for example Cristina Caffarra from the Eurostack initiative. For her, “Buy...

Other voices are much more enthusiastic about the idea, for example Cristina Caffarra from the Eurostack initiative. For her, “Buy European” is the only way forward, she told me.

Digital Europe also has many other, more basic demands. For example, the association wants a single regulation instead of many directives. There should be less barriers between member states and if possible, Europe should buy together.

But the digital sector is definitely interested in the discussion. Look no further than the industry association Digital Europe’s response...

But the digital sector is definitely interested in the discussion. Look no further than the industry association Digital Europe’s response to a Commission consultation that ran til Friday.

The association writes that it’s sceptical about general preferences for European companies. It’d rather have criteria like supply chain security included in procurement processes. The catch: Digital Europe has many member companies that are not from the EU and could suffer from an EU preference.

The @EUCommission has already announced that it wants to reform public procurement rules. The two first goals are pretty uncontroversial:...

The @EUCommission has already announced that it wants to reform public procurement rules. The two first goals are pretty uncontroversial: Make buying stuff more efficient and allow more start-ups and innovative companies in.

The potential hang-up is goal number three: Give preference to European products in “certain strategic sectors”. What will those sectors be? Good question.

There’s a discussion brewing in Brussels – a discussion about whether European public authorities should be forced to buy part of their...

There’s a discussion brewing in Brussels – a discussion about whether European public authorities should be forced to buy part of their digital needs from European companies.

First off, no, you’re not hallucinating, this is the same discussion that Europe is currently also having in regard to defence equipment. You can decide for yourself whether F-35s or the software running our most basic state functions are more critical.

#EU #EuropeanUnion #digitalsovereignty

In the last few months, many people have called on the EU to start supporting open alternatives to US-owned social media sites. The thing...

In the last few months, many people have called on the EU to start supporting open alternatives to US-owned social media sites. The thing is: The EU has been doing that for some time already. It has financed, among others, ActivityPub, Mastodon and PeerTube. For @netzpolitik_feed, we spoke to Michiel Leenaars, who professionally gives out buckets of EU cash to open source projects.

#eu #europeanunion #opensource #activitypub #mastodon

https://netzpolitik.org/2025/open-source-funding-on-the-brink-delivering-whats-needed-to-make-europe-sovereign/

In den letzten Monaten haben viele Menschen gefordert, die EU sollte doch mal bitte offene Alternativen zu amerikanischen...

In den letzten Monaten haben viele Menschen gefordert, die EU sollte doch mal bitte offene Alternativen zu amerikanischen Social-Media-Diensten fördern. Die Sache ist nur: Das tut sie schon lange. ActivityPub, Mastodon und PeerTube haben alle von einem EU-Förderprogramm profitiert. Für @netzpolitik_feed haben wir Michiel Leenaars interviewt, der das EU-Geld aus diesem Programm verteilt.

#eu #europeanunion #opensource #activitypub #mastodon

https://netzpolitik.org/2025/open-source-foerderung-auf-der-kippe-wir-liefern-was-europa-braucht-um-unabhaengiger-zu-werden/

Apropos nothing in particular, I've launched a "wake-up call for Europe" tracker. Full inspiration goes to Jörg Lau....

Apropos nothing in particular, I've launched a "wake-up call for Europe" tracker. Full inspiration goes to Jörg Lau. Let's see how long I can keep it going. Glad about any suggestions for articles to add, especially in languages other than English.

https://maxhenning.eu/wake-up-call/

Anyone looking for a ticket for today's Carneval party in the NRW representation in #Brussels? I bought one but am sadly sick today....

Anyone looking for a ticket for today's Carneval party in the NRW representation in #Brussels? I bought one but am sadly sick today. Would give it up for 20€. Let me know if you're interested

Read their pitch document here:https://euro-stack.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/EuroStack_Pitch_10-January-2025.pdf And my full article, in...

Read their pitch document here:

https://euro-stack.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/EuroStack_Pitch_10-January-2025.pdf

And my full article, in German, at @TspBackgroundDi:

https://background.tagesspiegel.de/digitalisierung-und-ki/briefing/eine-idee-nimmt-gestalt-an

The people behind this idea are, as Cristina Caffara likes to point out, a motley group of volunteers. We also have Vittorio Bertola,...

The people behind this idea are, as Cristina Caffara likes to point out, a motley group of volunteers. We also have Vittorio Bertola, Francesco Bonfiglio, Sebastiano Toffaletti, Kai Zenner, Alexandra Geese and many more. @protonprivacy's @andyyen Andy Yen also told me he approved of the project.

Importantly: Don’t just innovate but build something. The group is not calling for more research money, but for European companies to grab...

Importantly: Don’t just innovate but build something. The group is not calling for more research money, but for European companies to grab market share from overseas incumbents.

As centrepiece of this strategy, they see public procurement. Europe’s governments should be forced to buy a certain part of their software in Europe. This would guarantee demand for European businesses, which would drive investment, and so on.

The basic pitch: Europe has been good at regulating, but not at building. We’ve become a digital colony of the US and China. Time is...

The basic pitch: Europe has been good at regulating, but not at building. We’ve become a digital colony of the US and China. Time is running out.

But time is running out for what? For a clear industrial policy, unified for EU and member states. Build capacities for the whole digital value chain: Chips, Cloud, Search, many more.

Europe’s digital economy has many well-diagnosed problems – but over the years, countless initiatives to fix some of them have met with...

Europe’s digital economy has many well-diagnosed problems – but over the years, countless initiatives to fix some of them have met with little success. A new idea is currently coalescing in Brussels, trying for a broader approach. Its name: The #EuroStack.

Highly agree. There's tons of stories to tell in Brussels that matter, especially in the digital area. Unlike national capitals, the EU...

Highly agree. There's tons of stories to tell in Brussels that matter, especially in the digital area. Unlike national capitals, the EU actually still has a bit of power left. But not enough people are looking at it - we need more journalists here.

https://www.brusselstimes.com/1416306/a-gold-rush-for-the-top-media-spot-in-brussels

My full article, in German, at @TspBackgroundDi...

My full article, in German, at @TspBackgroundDi

https://background.tagesspiegel.de/digitalisierung-und-ki/briefing/eu-rechnungshof-will-mehr-aufsichtsmacht-fuer-kommission

…where we might also tackle the question of whether #streaming should continue to be exempted from the ban. The industry fears for its...

…where we might also tackle the question of whether #streaming should continue to be exempted from the ban. The industry fears for its revenues, but consumers obviously hate not being able to watch their favourite series when they leave their home countries.

So, what to do? The auditors propose an EU-wide enforcement mechanism, and the Commission seems to like that idea. It might happen sooner...

So, what to do? The auditors propose an EU-wide enforcement mechanism, and the Commission seems to like that idea. It might happen sooner than later: The geoblocking regulation is up for revision in just two months.