EU

Latest News

Online shoppers to get more rights
More protection for those shopping "across borders" 10 October 2008 16:07 GMT
The European Commission has announced plans that could see shoppers afforded more protection when buying online.

In particular, the proposals are aimed to protect EU shoppers who opt to buy products from one of the 27 states within the Union but not from their...
EU probing Google and Yahoo ad deal
Prelim investigation turns into full probe 16 September 2008 11:59 GMT
Google and Yahoo are now co-operating with European Authorities over a probe into the proposed ad revenue sharing deal between the two web giants.

The deal is already under investigation in the States, where a coalition of companies and organisations has already...
Tech talks break down between US and Europe
World Trade Organization asked to intervene in dispute over tariffs 19 August 2008 14:54 GMT
Things have gotten so nasty between the States and EU over tariffs on tech goods that the US has asked the World Trade Organization to mediate.

The US has asked the WTO to set up a "dispute panel" to help the two sides negotiate after talks failed to come up...
British hacker gets two weeks stay on extradiction
But could still face life in prison 13 August 2008 10:35 GMT
He has lost his appeal in the House of Lords, but British hacker Gary McKinnon, accused of breaking into US military and NASA computers, has now won a fortnight's "Interim Relief" from the European Court of Human Rights.

Glasgow-born McKinnon opted to take his...
Intel faces yet anothrer EU antitrust case
Probe into the company's sales practices 18 July 2008 9:46 GMT
According to The Wall Street Journal, Intel could be facing yet another probe by EU authorities.

European regulators are allegedly preparing to file new antitrust charges against Intel expanding a current probe into the chipmaker's marketing and sales practices.
Apple backtracks on iTunes UK price promise
Exchange rates blames as download costs will not see cuts 16 July 2008 10:08 GMT
Despite promising it would do so, Apple has u-turned on its decision to cut UK iTunes prices to standardise them with the rest of Europe.

The promise came after a lengthy EC investigation into antitrust or competitions violations across Europe after UK customers...
EU attacks roaming charges
Calls for cost of texting abroad to be halved 15 July 2008 10:58 GMT
Early this month, a British holiday maker for a £31,500 phone bill for downloading Prison Break on his mobile phone.

The latest EU proposals won't stop this happening to another unsuspecting traveller, but they could cut down on the cost of sending texts, as...
VIDEO: Megawhat News - O2’s stock of the iPhone 3G runs out
What's happened in the tech world today 8 July 2008 20:22 GMT
Want to know the latest news but don't have time to read the stories we've written?

Well why not take a peek at the top stories on video.

In today's headlines: Now you see it, now you don’t – O2’s online stock of the iPhone 3G runs out; European...
"Orwellian" net proposals pushed through by EU
MEPs back file-sharing fight 8 July 2008 12:47 GMT
Despite concerns that they will curb internet freedom, measures have been pushed through by European authorities to fight file-sharing.

The new proposals, which will be voted on in September, are part of a Telecom Packet, which aims to bring all European countries'...
Quarter of EU homes use mobiles only
Turned their backs on fixed lines 30 June 2008 10:17 GMT
Mobile phones are being in the EU homes over fixed lines.

A survey has revealed that 25% of us within the European Union will use our mobile phones even when at home instead of landlines.

And a fifth of us are now making calls over the Internet....
eBay criticises EU
eCommerce site lobbying against "last century" trading rules 23 June 2008 11:41 GMT
eBay claims that its customers are losing out on potential savings because of EU trading laws.

The online auction site is now lobbying European authorities over their "last century" trading rules.

In particular, the eBay team is criticising restrictions...
Mobile users to be charged for incoming calls
EU proposal could radically rehaul system 16 June 2008 17:27 GMT
It may be battling to cut down roaming charges, but the EU may find itself pretty unpopular if proposals to charge mobile phone users for receiving calls, even when in their home country, are pushed through.

The proposal has been put forward by EU telecoms commissioner,...
VIDEO: Tech week in view on Megawhat News
Our very own take on the big stories of the week in video 30 May 2008 16:42 GMT
Switch on Megawhat TV now for our round-up of the biggest news stories of the week; and what we thought of them in a nice, neat, and concise vid.

This week we tackle the EU/ USA wrangle over import tariffs; Dell's disgrace; whether games turn us into neanderthals...
EU warns of web crisis as net users run out of addresses
Urges migration to new system 30 May 2008 16:22 GMT
The European Commission is warning that the current internet addressing system is facing a meltdown.

European authorities are urging website owners, especially governments, to speed up their migration to a new system, put into place so that the ever expanding...
Spycams being used on planes
Studying passengers to "detect terrorism" 30 May 2008 14:12 GMT
So they are plans afoot to monitor our emails, phone calls and the websites we visit, but now it seems our facial expressions are also going to be scrutinised by "security experts".

Boing Boing says that European airlines are already testing spycams, which will...
VIDEO: Megawhat news - Dell to take on the Asus Eee
Video news bulletin of today's top stories 29 May 2008 18:57 GMT
Want to know the latest news but don't have time to read the stories we've written. Don't panic - here are the top stories on video.

In today's headlines: Dell to take on the Asus Eee; The BBC iPlayer is hacked again; Amazon to offer video streaming on demand;...
US in tech row with EU
Complaints over import tariffs 29 May 2008 10:57 GMT
A heated row has kicked off between the USA and European authorities over import tariffs.

The US has lodged a complaint with the World Trade Organisation over import charges on computer screens and other technology products coming into Europe.

Tech...
VIDEO: Megawhat news - iPhone sales hit by wait for 3G model
Video news bulletin of today's top stories 21 May 2008 18:25 GMT
Want to know the latest news but don't have time to read the stories we've written. Don't panic - here are the top stories on video.

In today's headlines: Consumers in the US waiting for 3G iPhone; BBC iPlayer hits another milestone; OLPC second gen laptop unveiled;...
Nintendo fighting 149.1 million euro EU fine
"The penalty was unfair, illegal, even shocking" 21 May 2008 10:35 GMT
Nintendo is refusing to pay a 149.1 million euro fine slapped on its for allegedly price fixing.

European Union regulators fined the gaming giant in 2002 following on from allegations that Nintendo, and seven distributors had colluded to raise hardware and software...
EU concerned over Google Street View
Privacy and security issues raised 16 May 2008 9:34 GMT
Google has already had a head-to-head with the Pentagon over some of the photographs on Google Maps, and now it seems the EU has the same concerns.

European Authorities have raised specific concerns about Google Street View, which is an extra on Google Maps...
TomTom gets EC okay to buy Tele Atlas
Decision bodes well for Nokia/Navteq acquisition 14 May 2008 11:16 GMT
TomTom and Tele Atlas have announce that they have received "unconditional clearance" from the European Commission for the proposed acquisition by TomTom of Tele Atlas.

After an investigation, the Commission has concluded that the merger will not significantly...
Microsoft appeals £680.9 million EU fine
"Seeking clarity from the court" (while it finds a way to get out of paying up) 12 May 2008 10:18 GMT
It is a case that has been rumbling for over 4 years and now it's set to continue.

Microsoft has appealed a landmark fine by the EU, which was the largest ever imposed by the European Commission, and would see it having to raid its coffers for 899m euros or...
EU urges video industry to help to protect kids
Gives two-year ultimatum 23 April 2008 10:20 GMT
Game developers and console makers have to work harder to protect children from violent images.

And they have been given just 2 years to come up with a code of conduct, European authorities have stated.

The European Union's executive body has demanded...
EU rejects calls to throw downloaders off the web
Europe says no to record industry calls 11 April 2008 15:34 GMT
Despite increasing pressure from organisations, including the British Phonographic Industry in the UK, EU officials have today rejected plans that would see internet users banned by the ISPs if they are caught illegally downloading copyrighted material.

In a...
Nokia faces EU probe over Navteq bid
Authorities look at competitions implications 31 March 2008 10:36 GMT
Nokia announced its intention to lay down 5.7 billion euros to buy the GPS software company, Navteq, way back in October, but now EU authorities may block the deal.

The acquisition would be the largest ever for Nokia but the European Commission has raised concerns...