Negotiations on political ads have begun

Stricter rules for political ads are necessary

 Posted on April 22, 2022  |  3 minutes  |  483 words  |  Marcel Kolaja

The French presidential election campaign has been another example of a run for the best political advertising. Not the only one. Also, some other past ones—such as Brexit or the election of Donald Trump—confirmed that political advertising must be regulated. As we have seen in the case of communication and disinformation, misleading targeted messages can also negatively affect democratic principles. In November 2021, the European Commission tabled a proposal for a regulation on the transparency and targeting of political advertising. [Read More]
disinformation  political advertising  transparency  surveillance advertising 

Who chose your vacation?

The dangers and pitfalls of surveillance advertising

 Posted on September 30, 2021  |  4 minutes  |  693 words  |  Marcel Kolaja  • Other languages: cs

Had you been choosing where to go on vacation this year and since then, advertisement for the best vacation—whether in Europe or overseas—was popping up at you during every action on-line? That happens due to so-called targeted, surveillance advertising. Its advertisers and intermediaries know everything about you. How old you are, where you live, what your hobbies are, what pages you’re browsing, and also that you are planning your vacation. I consider widespread on-line surveillance unacceptable. [Read More]
Digital Services Act  Digital Markets Act  disinformation  surveillance advertising  transparency 

Internet users beware

With new European legislation, changes are coming that will interest you

 Posted on May 31, 2021  |  6 minutes  |  1136 words  |  Marcel Kolaja

With the current pandemic, the time we spend on the Internet has increased. Every day, we are on social networks or we use one of the thousands of on-line services, such as on-line market places or file sharing platforms. Anyway, the main legislation setting the rules in this area has remained mostly unchanged for more than two decades. The Digital Services Act should help us to face the challenges of the present. [Read More]
content moderation  COVID-19  Digital Services Act  disinformation  hate speech  notice and action 

European joint action on disinformation

 Posted on June 24, 2020  |  2 minutes  |  354 words  |  Marcel Kolaja  • Other languages: cs

During the COVID-19 crisis, people witnessed an unprecedented amount of disinformation. Bad actors spread false information in bad faith—capitalizing on the fear and uncertainty of people—such as different conspiracy theories about the origins of the pandemic, or tried to deceive consumers by advertising fake medicine. United European action against disinformation That is the reason why the Commission decided to step up and tackle the spread of disinformation, which is outlined in their paper. [Read More]
censorship  COVID-19  disinformation 

Thoughts on the European Digital Strategy

 Posted on February 19, 2020  |  4 minutes  |  646 words  |  Marcel Kolaja  • Other languages: cs

Together with the white paper on Artifical Intelligence, the Commission presented their digital strategy for the upcoming legislature: Shaping Europe’s digital future. The paper defines a three pillar strategy “that will ensure that Europe develops and pursues its own way of vibrant, globally competitive, value-based and inclusive digital economy and society.” My thoughts on this: Technology that works for people Cyber security: The strategy refers to the EU toolbox for 5G as an important milestone for achieving resilience. [Read More]
cyber security  Digital Services Act  digital tax  disinformation  FOSS  interoperability  Open Source  open technologies  Free Software