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Press release - Fair and equal social protection for riders, drivers and other platform workers

European Parliament (News) - Thu, 09/16/2021 - 09:15
In a vote today, MEPs demand people working for digital labour platforms, such as food delivery services, should have the same rights as traditional employees.
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP
Categories: European Union

Press release - Parliament sets out its vision for a new EU strategy on China

European Parliament - Thu, 09/16/2021 - 09:15
The EU should continue talking to China about global challenges like climate change and health crises, while raising its concerns over systemic human rights violations.
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP
Categories: European Union

Press release - Fair and equal social protection for riders, drivers and other platform workers

European Parliament - Thu, 09/16/2021 - 09:15
In a vote today, MEPs demand people working for digital labour platforms, such as food delivery services, should have the same rights as traditional employees.
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP
Categories: European Union

EU plans certification scheme for carbon dioxide removals

Euractiv.com - Thu, 09/16/2021 - 08:37
The European Commission will publish a policy paper by the end of the year on "the sustainable management of the carbon cycle” – the first step towards an EU-wide certification scheme for negative emissions coming from agriculture, forestry and other sources, that will be tabled in 2022.
Categories: European Union

Press release - EP Today

European Parliament (News) - Thu, 09/16/2021 - 08:33
Thursday, 16 September

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP
Categories: European Union

Press release - EP Today

European Parliament - Thu, 09/16/2021 - 08:33
Thursday, 16 September

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP
Categories: European Union

Regulating facial recognition in the EU

Written by Tambiama Madiega and Hendrik Mildebrath.

Artificial intelligence (AI) powers the use of biometric technologies, including facial recognition applications, which are used for verification, identification and categorisation purposes by private or public actors. While facial recognition markets are poised to grow substantially in the coming years, the increasing use of facial recognition technologies (FRTs) has emerged as a salient issue in the worldwide public debate on biometric surveillance.

While there are real benefits to using facial recognition systems for public safety and security, their pervasiveness and intrusiveness, as well as their susceptibility to error, give rise to a number of fundamental rights concerns with regard, for instance, to discrimination against certain segments of the population and violations of the right to data protection and privacy. To address such effects, the EU has already put strict rules in place under the Charter of Fundamental Rights, the General Data Protection Regulation, the Law Enforcement Directive and the EU framework on non-discrimination, which also apply to FRT-related processes and activities. However, various actors question the effectiveness of the current EU framework in adequately addressing the FRT-induced fundamental rights concerns. Even if courts attempted to close gaps in protection through an extensive interpretation of the pre-existing legal framework, legal uncertainties and complexities would remain.

Against this backdrop, the draft EU artificial intelligence (AI) act, unveiled in April 2021, aims to limit the use of biometric identification systems including facial recognition that could lead to ubiquitous surveillance. In addition to the existing applicable legislation (e.g. data protection and non-discrimination), the draft AI act proposes to introduce new rules governing the use of FRTs in the EU and to differentiate them according to their ‘high-risk’ or ‘low-risk’ usage characteristics. A large number of FRTs would be considered ‘high risk’ systems which would be prohibited or need to comply with strict requirements. The use of real-time facial recognition systems in publicly accessible spaces for the purpose of law enforcement would be prohibited, unless Member States choose to authorise them for important public security reasons, and the appropriate judicial or administrative authorisations are granted. A wide range of facial recognition technologies used for purposes other than law enforcement (e.g. border control, market places, public transport and even schools) could be permitted subject to a conformity assessment and compliance with some safety requirements before entering the EU market. Conversely, facial recognition systems used for categorisation purposes would be considered ‘low risk’ systems and only subject to limited transparency and information requirements. While stakeholders, researchers and regulators seem to agree on a need for regulation, some critics question the proposed distinction between low-risk and high-risk biometric systems, and warn that the proposed legislation would enable a system of standardisation and self-regulation without proper public oversight. They call for amendments to the draft text, including with regard to the Member States’ leeway in implementing the new rules. Some strongly support stricter rules – including an outright ban on such technologies.

Looking beyond the EU, there is a global surge in use of facial recognition technologies, whilst concerns about state surveillance are mounting and amplified by the fact that there are, so far, very limited legally binding rules applicable to FRTs even in major jurisdictions such as the United States of America (USA) and China. Policy- and law-makers around the globe have the opportunity to discuss – in a multilateral and possibly in a bilateral context – how to put in place adequate controls on the use of facial recognition systems.

Read the complete in-depth analysis on ‘Regulating facial recognition in the EU‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Categories: European Union

Macron says French forces killed Islamic State leader in Sahara

Euractiv.com - Thu, 09/16/2021 - 08:28
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday (15 September) that French military forces had killed Islamic militant Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi, the leader of Islamic State in the Greater Sahara.
Categories: European Union

Commission demands from Bulgaria ‘exact date’ to end coal

Euractiv.com - Thu, 09/16/2021 - 08:19
The Capitals brings you the latest news from across Europe, through on-the-ground reporting by EURACTIV’s media network. You can subscribe to the newsletter here. Before you start reading today’s edition of the Capitals, feel free to have a look at...
Categories: European Union

Hungary equates ‘LGBT promotion’ in films with horror in viewing age ratings

Euractiv.com - Thu, 09/16/2021 - 08:15
Hungary's media regulator published guidelines for broadcasters to comply with new LGBT laws on Wednesday (15 September), relegating some films portraying homosexuality or gender identity issues to the same age group restrictions as gory horror movies.
Categories: European Union

Johnson shuffles the pack

Euractiv.com - Thu, 09/16/2021 - 08:12
Dominic Raab and Gavin Williamson were the main victims of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s first major reshuffle of his senior ministerial team on Wednesday. Raab was demoted from foreign secretary to justice secretary, while the embattled Williamson, who has been...
Categories: European Union

Bosnian foreign ministry advises citizens against travelling to Serbia

Euractiv.com - Thu, 09/16/2021 - 08:05
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement advising its citizens not to travel to Serbia citing the alleged risk of arrest on charges of war crimes. “We recommend that all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina who...
Categories: European Union

EU sweetens its Blue Card for foreign professionals

Euractiv.com - Thu, 09/16/2021 - 08:01
The EU's Blue Card giving eligible foreign professionals the right to live and work in the bloc is being made more attractive under modifications approved Wednesday (15 September) by the European Parliament.
Categories: European Union

Former Serbian President: Merkel knows Vučić undermines democracy

Euractiv.com - Thu, 09/16/2021 - 07:58
The former president of Serbia, Boris Tadić, said on Wednesday that all Serbian citizens not under the influence of the state propaganda and private media controlled by the Serbian Progressive Party, knew that President Aleksandar Vučić and his regime are...
Categories: European Union

France steps up dual education as EU announces Erasmus for the unemployed

Euractiv.com - Thu, 09/16/2021 - 07:55
A French scheme pushing for more apprentice mobility within the European Union may serve as a roadmap for ALMA, a EU's new programme to help young people who are neither in employment nor in education.
Categories: European Union

Croatian president agrees with Hungarian and Polish stand that EU can’t be supra-state

Euractiv.com - Thu, 09/16/2021 - 07:54
The European Union consists of national states and the EU cannot be a federation or a supra-state, Croatian President Zoran Milanović told the press in Rome. “There is no European federation or supra-state. It is a fantasy nurtured by some....
Categories: European Union

Romania discusses energy price caps

Euractiv.com - Thu, 09/16/2021 - 07:54
The Romanian government will discuss a way to cap natural gas prices after a significant increase this year, Prime Minister Florin Citu said on Wednesday. In August, Citu said that introducing a cap on energy prices was off the table....
Categories: European Union

Pope Francis condemns discrimination and prejudice against Roma

Euractiv.com - Thu, 09/16/2021 - 07:52
Pope Francis wrapped up his official visit to Slovakia on Wednesday by celebrating holy mass in the western Slovak pilgrimage town of Šaštín-Stráže in front of approximately 50.000 people. Before the Pontiff departed for Rome on Wednesday afternoon, he once...
Categories: European Union

Polish ruling party puts an end to ‘Polexit’ discussion

Euractiv.com - Thu, 09/16/2021 - 07:51
In reaction to the public discourse in the past weeks, Poland’s Law and Justice (PiS) ruling party adopted a position in which it states that “the objective of PiS is for Poland not to leave the EU”. Ryszard Terlecki, a...
Categories: European Union

Italy ready to pick a fight with Croatia over ‘Prošek’

Euractiv.com - Thu, 09/16/2021 - 07:50
Rome is ready to raise its objections to Croatia’s request to get EU protection for its Prošek, a sweet dessert wine produced in Dalmatia, whose name is similar to that of Italy’s famous sparkling wine, prosecco, the agriculture minister has...
Categories: European Union

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