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Items tagged with: EU
Ditch US Big Tech and choose better European tools!
What are your favorites?
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
netzpolitik.org/2025/open-sour…
Open source funding on the brink: „Delivering what’s needed to make Europe sovereign“
The EU is paying a fortune for broken commercial software, criticizes Michiel Leenaars of the Dutch NLnet Foundation in an interview with netzpolitik.org. Together with his team, he supports open-source, free solutions — funded by the EU.netzpolitik.org
As a part of this socially-asocial #Fediverse network I would like to talk to you on the other side of the ocean.
I rarely write posts in #English and I only have very few followers that are not #Czech or #Slovakian, so I'm not sure if this ever reaches my target audience of this post - the #USA citizens.
I am seriously concerned about what is happening lately with your country, who was supposed to be (or was acting like) a #democracy beacon. Yet, somehow you managed to reach the point, where #president, who most of you (!) elected is felon, who pardons criminals and does pretty rude political statements to country, who is losing lives of it's citizens only because they have chosen the path of being a #free nation.
As a person from central #EU I must admit this is seriously hard to watch as I expected your society to be #freedom and #liberty friendly and yet I see your president fueling #propaganda from #Russia and bullying president of #Ukraine.
I do not think this is a great way to #StopWar - this is a way to lose it. I'm hell-of-a-sure that befriending pretty much dictator of #Russia while his propagandists talks about nuking Washington is not a good idea, but somehow your president believes it is.
Please reconsider and act, this is not funny and people are dying. Your voices need to be heard or somehow you might find out you live in country you never imagined...
You can't do anything without your phone or laptop, and your phone wouldn't run without American companies. But the current American administration is going wild.
We have everything at our disposal to make an international, transparent operating system that respects people's rights, and it wouldn't make a dent in the EU's budget.
ergaster.org/posts/2025/02/28-…
Prosthetics that don't betray
Tech takes a central place in our lives. Banking, and administrative tasks are happening more and more online. It's becoming increasingly difficult to get through life without a computer or a smartphone.ergaster.org
So I was just in #Martinique which part of France & thus part of the #EU.
Saint Pierre and Miquelon is also part of France and is ~25km from Newfoundland.
Given that, joining the #EuropeanUnion seems more possible than when it is an ocean away. Canada should try to join the EU.
BREAKING NEWS 🚨
If you needed more proof that Trump is a Russian Asset...
"The head of Trump's Pentagon ordered US Cyber Command to stop all activities against Russia, including offensive cyber operations,"
- The publication Record
#AureFreePress #News #press #headline #Ukraine #Russia #Putin #EU #NATO #Zelensky #war #Breaking #BreakingNews
Trump's KGB codename:
It is now illegal to transmit personal information of EU citizens to cloud infrastructure in the #US as they won't be protected by the #GDPR.
Many European service providers will have to move quickly to avoid fines, but eventually #EU data will be held in the EU, benefiting companies in Europe, and supporting #DigitalSovereignty.
That means AWS, Azure, Google and iCloud can lose a sizeable chunk of their customer base if no moves are made. I am all for it.
berthub.eu/articles/posts/you-…
It is no longer safe to move our governments and societies to US clouds - Bert Hubert's writings
The very short version: it is madness to continue transferring the running of European societies and governments to American clouds.Bert Hubert's writings
Please boost and spread the word.
European alternatives for popular services from the USA. This page is far from perfect or complete but just an illustration that there are alternatives.
european-alternatives.eu/alter…
This is also an interesting page with alternatives,
privacyguides.org/en/tools/
#EU #digitalservices #ICT #IT
European alternatives for popular services | European Alternatives
We help you find European alternatives for digital service and products, like cloud services and SaaS products.European Alternatives
The Advocate General has issued an opinion regarding the Danish ghetto policy. This is a hugely important case regarding direct discrimination by ethnicity, and the opinion from the Advocate General recognises this fact.
The policy is extremely harmful. Copying from the CJEU press release:
The Danish legislation on public housing distinguishes between several types of neighbourhoods with unfavourable socio-economic situations in terms of their levels of unemployment, crime, education, and income. The areas in which, in addition to an unfavourable socio-economic situation, the proportion of immigrants from non-Westerncountries and their descendants has exceeded 50% for the last five years have then been categorised as‘transformation areas’ (formerly known as ‘hard ghettos’). The law requires the public housing associations owning such areas to draw up a development plan setting out how the proportion of public housing units in thetransformation areas is to be reduced to 40% by 1 January 2030. This may include the sale of properties to private developers, demolition, or conversion of family housing into housing for young people. In such cases, the leases of the previous tenants must be terminated.
The Advocate General finds direct discrimination due to two issues: first, "the legislation puts those tenants in a precarious position in relation to security of their right to a home, thus resulting in their less favourable treatment in comparison to tenants of other neighbourhoods in a comparable situation, in which the majority of the population is of ‘Western’ origin". And second: "the ethnic criterion used by Danish legislation stigmatises the ethnic group whose structural disadvantage in their ability to integrate into Danish society was recognised, thus curtailing rather than enhancing their chances to integrate into that society".
#law #EU #HousingPolicy
A message from Canadians:🇨🇦
Dear 🌎 World:
There is no reason for Canada to even consider the possibility let alone discuss our position as a US state.
Let me quote our Prime Minister:
"There isn't a snowball's chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States," Trudeau "
And as a Canadian I am very annoyed whenever anyone brings up the possibility of us giving up our sovereignty.
I am not alone in feeling this, so please never ask again because some of us might not respond with a civilized reply.
Please boost this post--thanks
Ukraine Daily summary - Monday, January 27 2025
Monday, January 27
Russia’s war against Ukraine
A vehicle of the Ukrainian White Angels police evacuation team rolls down a street in Pokrovsk on Jan. 25 as Russian troops advance close to the city. (Genya Savilov / AFP via Getty Images)
Ukraine strikes drone storage facility in Russia's Oryol Oblast and destroys 200 Shaheds, General Staff reports. Ukrainian Air Force units and Defense Forces struck drone storage facilities in Russia's western Oryol Oblast on Jan. 26, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported on Facebook on Jan. 26.
Russia launched over 1,250 bombs, 750 drones at Ukraine during Trump's first week in office. Russia fired 1,250 aerial bombs, over 750 attack drones, and 20 missiles at Ukraine in the past week, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Jan 26.
Zelensky appoints Ground Forces Commander as head of Khortytsia Group. President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, Commander of the Ground Forces of Ukraine, as the head of the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group on Jan. 26.
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Ukrainian troops avoid encirclement in Velyka Novosilka, military says. Ukrainian troops successfully withdrew from some areas to avoid being encircled but fighting is ongoing around the village, which lies around 15 kilometers east of the neighboring Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
Russia bombs itself with 'smart bomb,' Astra reports. The bomb, a UMPB-250, was found in a village in Belgorod Oblast, but there were no casualties or damage.
Explosions reported in Khmelnytskyi, Ivano-Frankivsk amid drone attack, apartment building damaged in Dnipro. Several explosions were heard overnight on Jan. 27 in the western Ukrainian cities of Ivano-Frankivsk and Khmelnytskyi as Russia launched a drone attack on Ukraine.
Curated Theft | An investigation into the largest museum heist in Europe since World War II
International response
Fiber-optic cable between Latvia and Sweden significantly damaged in Baltic Sea, investigation underway. An underwater fiber optic cable belonging to the Latvian State Radio and Television Broadcasting Center (LVRTC) was significantly damaged on Jan. 26, reportedly due to external impact, according to LVRTC representative Vineta Sprugaine.
Washington orders USAID to suspend projects and funding in Ukraine, Suspilne reports. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), one of the largest official aid agencies in the world, has been told to stop projects in Ukraine following a 90-day foreign aid freeze imposed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ukrainian media Suspilne reported, citing sources in the agency.
Read our exclusives
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine strikes drone storage facility in Russia's Oryol Oblast, General Staff reports
Ukrainian Air Force units and Defense Forces struck drone storage facilities in Russia's western Oryol Oblast on Jan. 26, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported on Facebook on Jan. 26.
Photo: Andrew Roth/ The Washington Post via Getty Images
Potential encirclement in Velyka Novosilka prompts questions about last-ditch withdrawal strategy
Located east of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, the vital road-junction village was once home to 5,000 people. It’s now facing a similar fate to other Donbas strongholds, where Ukraine's delayed withdrawals resulted in avoidable casualties.
Photo: Wolfgang Schwan/Anadolu via Getty Images
Transfer of Air Force personnel to infantry continues despite scandal
The Ukrainian military command's plan to throw high-skilled Air Force personnel into the infantry was said to be halted when the practice gained nationwide attention, followed by a condemnation from the president.
Photo: Sameer Al-Doumy / AFP / Getty Images
How the Invictus Games help wounded veterans adapt to life after war
Nearly 400,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been injured and are unable to return to the front line. After coming back from the battlefield or captivity, they are often left to deal with their physical and mental trauma alone.
Photo: Invictus Games: Team Ukraine
Belarus elections
Lukashenko poised to secure 7th term in Belarus 'sham' election. Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko has reportedly secured 86.82% of the vote, according to preliminary results announced by the country’s Central Election Commission.
Belarus releases American citizen amid controversial election. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio identified the U.S. citizen as Anastassia Nuhfer, who was detained in early December 2024.
Hungary blocks EU statement condemning Belarus election as undemocratic, RFE/RL reports. Without unanimous support from all 27 EU countries, EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas issued her own statement, declaring that the January 26 election in Belarus was "neither free nor fair."
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"If anyone wants to do business in [the] EU, they have to comply with the rules," Christel Schaldemose. 👏 At Tuta, we too believe that Big Tech must comply with EU regulation.
We commend these efforts by EU lawmakers to ensure the digital privacy of EU citizens.
🖇️ Full story here: politico.eu/article/parliament…
Together we can make the web a better place 💪❤️
Don’t go soft on US Big Tech, European Parliament urges
Resist potential Trump pressure to soften rules that rein in U.S. tech giants, lawmakers tell Commission.Pieter Haeck (POLITICO)
Looks like #Microsoft appointed the new Data Protection Supervisor of the #EU.
This happened because the “left-liberal camp” did not agree on which candidate to support, if I am reading the news correctly.
I saw outgoing EDPS Wojciech Wiewiórowski at more than one @fnf meeting, and I doubt that his successor will turn up at this grassroots #privacy barcamp.
heise.de/en/news/Too-critical-…
Too critical? MEPs vote out Data Protection Commissioner Wiewiórowski
EU Parliament's Committee on Home Affairs has chosen Bruno Gencarelli as its preferred candidate for the role of EU Data Protection Supervisor.Stefan Krempl (heise online)
Die EU-Kommission setzt trotz Datenschutzbedenken weiterhin auf Microsoft 365. Dies stellt die digitale Souveränität und die Glaubwürdigkeit der EU infrage. 👇
kuketz-blog.de/kommentar-eu-un…
#datenschutz #dsgvo #eu #ms365 #microsoft
@SuspiciousDuck
Hlavně za ty cesty a zahraniční politiku obecně.
To, že vám tam z toho #Fico dělá gulag, kde nejde ani bezpečně odejít z práce, když jsi lékař, mi je jako Vašemu sousedovi celkem fuk.
To, že vás rozkládá zevnitř mi sobecky je taky jedno - zvolili jste si to.
Ale to, že podobnej pitomec jezdí za hlavním nepřítelem #EU a #NATO, kterých je součástí - tohle z něj dělá bezpečnostní riziko pro mě, moje děti a EU obecně a to mi teda zatraceně vadí.
Všech myslících Slováků je mi líto...
« #Italian gov’s possible adoption of #Starlink satellite comms system would b politicl & economic error, domestic & #EU legislators have warned, as gov doubled down on decision & #Musk revelled in the debate
If deal→signed, #Italy→1st EU country 2 formally engage w/ Musk’s #SpaceX. But would raise ?? abt its alignment w/ #European strategic priorities, including setup of EU’s #IRIS2 constellation, while potentially costing Italy jobs, sovereignty, & strategic autonomy»
euractiv.com/section/politics/…
Italy’s potential Starlink deal under fire over political, sovereignty, economic fears
Musk hinted that others will follow Italy's lead in working with his satellite communication service.Alessia Peretti (EURACTIV)
The most detailed explanation of the European Accessibility Act
#EAA I have read
digitalaccessibilitycentre.org…
The European Accessibility Act: Understanding Digital Accessibility | Blogs | Digital Accessibility Centre
Digital Accessibility Centre (DAC) is a non-profit social enterprise and one of the leading providers of web accessibility services.digitalaccessibilitycentre.org
Big thanks for the @eff for these recommendations to the #EU:
✅ Protect users’ rights to #secure, #encrypted, and #private communication
✅ Adopt a #privacy-first approach to fighting online harms like #targeted #ads
✅ User-centric approach to regulate big tech platforms (Digital Markets Act)
✅ Create conditions of fair digital markets that foster choice innovation and fundamental rights
We at Tuta couldn't agree more! 👏 👏 👏
mastodon.social/@eff/113640698…
Electronic Frontier Foundation (@eff@mastodon.social)
The next 5 years are pivotal for EU digital policymaking, with European regulation shaping global tech standards.Mastodon
Here it is: the Finnish Parliament has sided against #ChatControl !
I am overjoyed that in their statement, they have outlined exactly what this proposal would entail: mass surveillance in Europe.
From their statement (translation by me):
"..the suggested model would, in fact, lead to the mass surveillance of communication and would weaken the integrity of communication in the EU."
eduskunta.fi/FI/vaski/Lausunto…
#privacy #encryption #Finland #Europe #EU #surveillance
📣 Attention all custom ROM users and advocates for digital rights! 📣
Google's Play Integrity is limiting access to certain functionalities and applications for those using custom operating systems. This is a direct attack on the open-source community and a step towards further consolidating Google's monopoly in the mobile ecosystem.
The European Commission is aware of the situation, but has deemed it a low priority: europarl.europa.eu/doceo/docum…
It's time for us to take action and show Google and the EU how much we care about this issue! 💥
Sign the petition now to stop Google from limiting access to custom ROMs: change.org/p/stop-google-from-…
#StopGoogleMonopoly #CustomROMs #DigitalRights #OpenSource #PlayIntegrity #Google #deGoogle #privacy #right2repair #rightorepair #r2r #EU
Let's unite and fight for our right to use and develop custom operating systems! 💪
Today marks 1,000 days since Russia began its full-scale war against Ukraine. 1,000 days of loss and devastation, but also of resilience and courage.
From dismantling tanks to liberating occupied land, every act of defiance showcases Ukraine’s unbreakable spirit. Victory isn’t just hope—it’s a determined plan.
Together, with unity at home and support from global allies, Ukraine will prevail.
#AureFreePress #News #press #headline #Ukraine #Russia #Putin #EU #NATO #Zelensky #war
Tomorrow will mark 1,000 days since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
On this despicable anniversary, we honour the brave Ukrainians working and fighting for a free Ukraine with the colours of its flag on our headquarters.
Our enduring friendship and solidarity are here to stay. So is our commitment to work shoulder to shoulder towards a peaceful future within our Union.
Слава Україні! Europe is with you!
BREAKING NEWS 🚨
The underwater fiber-optic communication cable C-Lion-1, the only one connecting Finland with Central Europe, has been cut!
It is 1,200 kilometers long and runs close to the Russian gas pipeline Nord Stream.
The cable is torn. The cause is unknown. An investigation is currently underway.
#AureFreePress #News #press #headline #Ukraine #Russia #Putin #EU #NATO #Zelensky #war #Breaking #BreakingNews
Sperrminorität im EU-Rat: Niederlande bekräftigen Nein zu Chatkontrolle
Die Niederlande wollen den Kompromiss der EU-Ratspräsidentschaft zur Messenger-Überwachung nun doch nicht unterstützen.
Two and a half weeks are left, to make the official European Citizens Initiative #TaxTheRich work!
We still need 690,000 signatures, which sounds like a lot, but for a union of 450 million people, it should be a piece of cake!
We also still need 4 more countries to reach their national threshold of supporters:
BE, NL, IT, ES, SE are on a good way.
If you are an #EU citizen, and have not signed yet:
What are you waiting for?
Interne Untersuchung zu Pushbacks: Schwere Vorwürfe gegen Frontex
Anfang des Jahres war Frontex offenbar erneut in Pushbacks involviert - das haben Recherchen von NDR und WDR gezeigt. Jetzt stellen auch interne Untersuchungen schwere Fehler fest. Frontex-Direktor Leijtens steht unter Zugzwang.
As much as we fight the EU Commission's push for #chatcontrol, we applaud the EU for protecting users' #privacy with the #GDPR.
It's about time the #EU Commission reflects on European values and increases data protection, not undermining it. ✊
Read here what Tuta does to achieve GDPR-compliance: 👉 tuta.com/blog/gdpr-compliant-e…
🇦🇹 🇨🇿 🇵🇱 🇷🇴 🇸🇰 Europe is by your side in this difficult moment.
Today, President von der Leyen is in 🇵🇱 Wrocław to visit the areas recently affected by heavy floods and rains in Central Europe.
She also discussed the response with the leaders of Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, and Austria.
Through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, the EU is working to provide emergency equipment.
When the time comes, we will be ready to help rebuild.
This is #EUSolidarity.
#EU
‼️ The Free Software Foundation Europe needs your help ‼️
The EU Commission aims to remove funding from free software projects which are crucial to our digital lives.
We spoke with the #FSFE to learn more.
👉 youtu.be/mNZgSCvg6Ew
Please share this post with your friends to spread the message and rally support for free software! 📣
Macht doch bitte mal mit allen Euren Freund*innen, Eurer Familie, Menschen an Eurem Arbeitsplatz folgendes, ganz einfaches Experiment:
Fragt, ob die Person im Schnitt mehr als 1000 Euro am Tag an Zins- und Dividendengewinnen auf ihrem Konto gutgeschrieben bekommt, oder entsprechende Aktiengewinne einstreicht.
Wenn das nicht der Fall ist, habt Ihr eine weitere Person gefunden, die von einer Vermögenssteuer profitieren würde und keinesfalls selbst von der Steuer (als zahlende*r) betroffen wäre. Dann ist es nur noch ein kleiner Schritt, die Person davon zu überzeugen, die Europäische Initiative zur Einführung einer Vermögenssteuer mitzuzeichnen:
eci.ec.europa.eu/038/public/#/…
Da braucht es nämlich noch ein paar Stimmen ... ein paar viele sogar.
Im Gegensatz zu den zahlreichen Klickibunti-Petitionen, die keinerlei Verbindlichkeit haben, ist das hier eine, die in einem Gesetzgebungsverfahren münden könnte, wenn genügend Menschen sich anschließen.
🚨 From today, #EU governments could start endorsing the #ChatControl draft law.
🫵 We need you to object to this client side scanning of all your private messages.
✅ Here’s how you can help stop this #surveillance : patrick-breyer.de/en/take-acti…
#XSF Announcement
XMPP Standards Foundation has decided to sign the Open Letter to the European Commission:
xmpp.org/2024/08/the-xsf-signs…
#jabber #chat #interoperability #standards #rtc #Europe #europa #OpenSource #EU #Brussels
We are pleased to be one of the many projects supported by the EU's NGI programmes, with NLnet's contribution.
Open, decentralized solutions are essential for user freedom on the Internet and for the resilience of our services. What would happen if one of these centralized services were blocked tomorrow?
The NGI programmes are a strength, let's hope they continue: pad.public.cat/lettre-NCP-NGI
The Matrix.org Foundation joins the FOSS community and advocates of digital sovereignty in calling on the European Commission to sustain its funding for the Next Generation Internet program.
The European Union must keep funding free software: matrix.org/blog/2024/07/17/ngi…
#Advocacy #Policy #EU #FOSS #OpenSource
The European Union must keep funding free software
Matrix, the open protocol for secure decentralised communicationsJosh Simmons (matrix.org)
APPLE OR ANDROID? 🧐
Either way, we've got you covered ✌️
Read our #tips for protecting your #privacy on iPhone and Android here👇
✅Android users: tuta.com/blog/android-settings…
✅iPhone users: tuta.com/blog/iphone-security-…
#apple #android #security #tips #privacytips #securitytips #Tuta #encrypted #Eu
Increase your privacy with these Android security settings.
Don’t share all your data with Google! Improving your privacy settings on Android is quick and easy with this guide.Tutanota