Information Policy

E-Government Sounds Great Until the First Hack

A group of Czech security researchers earlier this year discovered a way to steal identities from electronic ID cards used in a number of countries, known in the cryptography industry as a ROCA vulnerability. So far, the vulnerability has caused problems in Estonia -- the country with perhaps the most comprehensive e-identification and e-government system in the world -- and in Spain. Former Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, a tireless promoter of his country's e-democracy, has said that other countries and institutions have the same problem, too; they're just not talking openly about it. He's very likely right.

Vienna – The Smartest City On The Planet

The Mayor of Bogota, Gustavo Petro exclaims, “A developed city is not a place where the poor have cars. It’s where the rich use the public transportation!” – Indeed, this is as true as the smart city existence itself.

The role of media literacy in the promotion of сommon European values and social inclusion – Position Paper

While we live in an increasingly digital society, a significant number of European citizens continue to lack basic digital skills. Media practices have changed, and now we are not only receiving information passively. Anyone can be active in content creation and (re-)produce (dis)information. For example, mobile technology and ubiquitous Internet access allow citizens to produce real time information, including content for mass media (newspapers, TV channels).

The quiet battle for control of the internet

by Will Wright

Earlier this fall, on the morning of the 20th of September, Spanish police raided the offices of the organization in charge of managing the domain name commonly used by Catalonian websites, '.cat'. The ensuing seizure of the registry’s computers, arrest of its director for sedition, and deletion of domains promoting the October 1st independence referendum sound like a scene from some dystopian cyberpunk future.

What data protections and national borders mean for global tech economy

The internet is a fine trade route. Technology companies ship their goods over internet networks instantaneously to any location in the world. But not all believe that this openness is altogether faultless. Some government officials are acting to ensure that a free internet does not compromise national interests or citizens’ data privacy. Will their good intentions choke innovation and growth in Silicon Valley and beyond?