Stories about Western Europe
Netizen Report: Post-Charlie Chilling Effects Take Shape Worldwide
This week, we look at reactions to the Charlie Hebdo attack from Russia, the UK and across the EU -- and the ramifications the attack could have for digital rights.
“Spain is a Corruptocracy”: Netizens Slam Google News Tax
News aggregator Google News has announced the shutdown of its Spanish subsidiary starting December 16, 2014 due to the tax imposed by the new Intellectual Property Law.
Netizen Report: UK Companies Vow to Censor ‘Terrorist’ Websites
This week, the UK and France set tough measures to censor extremist websites, India steps up porn blocking efforts, and WhatsApp gets hip to encryption.
EXCLUSIVE: German Companies Are Selling Unlicensed Surveillance Technologies to Human Rights Violators – and Making Millions
Data analyzed by two leading researchers on surveillance and digital security technology suggests the majority of surveillance technologies produced by German companies have been bought and sold under the table.
Connecting Istanbul and London to Crowdsource the Web We Want Festival
On Sept. 5, the Web We Want campaign will organize a "Think-In" global brainstorming session to plan for the upcoming Southbank festival -- anyone, anywhere can get involved.
The Internet Never Forgets: Join a Global Conversation on the EU’s ‘Right to Be Forgotten’
If the 'Right to be Forgotten' were implemented in your country, would it threaten the public interest? Global Voices editors are asking experts worldwide for their thoughts on the issue.
Leaked Data Suggests Bahrain's Government Hacked Its Own Fact-Finding Commission
The government's crackdown against a popular uprising spurred the creation of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Investigation -- new data suggests that the government is spying on the Commission.
Sonia Ordóñez, Translating Threats to Free Expression Online for Global Voices Advocacy
Global Voices depends on its hard-working team of volunteer translators like Sonia Ordóñez, who has devoted most of her time to translating Advocacy stories.
Spain on a Downward Spiral? New Law May Destroy the Digital Commons
Linking is what made the Web what is today -- restricting this function poses a threat to the very nature of the open Internet.
Court Ruling Against Restaurant Reviewer Leaves French Bloggers Reeling
The presiding judge ruled that while the review fell "within the scope of freedom of expression" its title was defamatory.
Delfi v. Estonia: Website Liability for User Comments Would Stifle Free Expression
Comment is free - until it isn't. The European Court of Human Rights will soon decide whether websites should be held legally responsible for the content of user comments.
Netizen Report: China’s Censors Take on Google and Messaging Apps Ahead of Tiananmen’s 25th Anniversary
This week's report begins in China, where the government has blocked access to all of Google’s encrypted and unencrypted services in the country and announced a new battle against Internet messaging apps.
365 Days of Snowden: This June 5, Say No to Surveillance
It has been nearly one year since the first Snowden leaks. This June 5, activists will be launching campaigns, lobbying legislators and holding live events to speak out against mass surveillance.
Netizen Report: Google Loses in EU, Wins in Pakistan
This week's Netizen Report looks at threats to free expression in Venezuela, Azerbaijan, and Malaysia.
“Google Tax” Threatens Spain's News Aggregators
The Spanish government is reviewing a new intellectual property bill, an extension of the so-called Sinde law, which restricts the use of links and citations of publications.
VIDEO: ‘Nothing to Hide’ — Really? #TheDayWeFightBack
In this catchy music video, Jérémie Zimmermann, from French digital rights group La Quadrature du Net, partners with La Parisienne Libérée to ask Internet users: Are you sure you have nothing to hide?
The Day We Fight Back, à la Française
After Edward Snowden's leaks became public, France's practices of Internet surveillance soon appeared in plain sight. This Tuesday, French citizens will join the global effort to stop mass government surveillance.
Spain: Public Safety Bill or Threat to Civil Rights?
A new "anti-protest" bill in Spain could prohibit calling for protests via the Internet, circulating riot images during demonstrations, and "violence against street furniture."
Germany: Twitter's First Local Blocking Case
Last October, Twitter announced that it would block the account of a neo-Nazi group in Germany, the activities of which had been banned by the German government. The case represented Twitter's first use of the policy, which typically protects online expression to a broad extent, except in cases where governments intervene.
International Privacy Day: Anti-Surveillance Success Stories
January 28 marked International Privacy Day. Different countries celebrated this day calling attention to their own events and campaigns. This year, EFF is honoring the day by sharing some advocacy strategies utilized by human rights advocates and activists from Argentina, the UK, Canada, and the United States, that have helped to defeat overreaching surveillance proposals that threaten civil liberties.
