Effective June 11, 2024, the cost of Schengen visas will increase significantly. The price for adult applicants will rise from €80 to €90, while children aged six to twelve will pay €45 instead of €40. The hike is attributed to increasing costs, inflation, and the need to maintain the security of the Schengen area, which includes 29 European countries. Non-European nationals, such as those from South Africa, China, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, require Schengen visas to enter the region.
As Europe races to meet its ambitious climate goals and rapidly deploy renewable energy, it is crucial to prioritize community engagement and equitable benefit sharing. Communities must be actively involved in the decision-making processes that affect their well-being and the environment around them. This means going beyond mere consultation and considering the diverse perspectives and concerns of local populations. Developers need to adopt transparent and inclusive approaches throughout the project lifecycle, from spatial planning to project design and implementation. By empowering communities through meaningful engagement and fair benefit-sharing mechanisms, we can overcome opposition and foster broad acceptance of renewable energy initiatives. This will not only accelerate the energy transition but also create social and economic benefits for communities and the environment.
The European Commission faces renewed pressure to reveal its interactions with private technology companies in developing a contentious proposal to scan private messages for child sexual abuse material. Concerns have been raised about potential influence by the tech industry on the Commission’s drafting of the legislation, which has sparked opposition from EU institutions and civil society groups. The EU’s ombudsman is investigating a complaint alleging a lack of transparency and has found preliminary evidence of maladministration by the Commission. The ombudsman urges the Commission to provide greater access to withheld documents, including correspondence with potential suppliers of CSAM-scanning technology.
Spotify and Apple have been engaged in a contentious battle over Apple’s control of its App Store, particularly regarding restrictions imposed on music streaming services. Spotify has accused Apple of violating the European Commission’s ruling, which found that Apple had unfairly restricted competition. The company has filed a complaint with the European Commission over Apple’s rejection of its updated iOS app, which includes information required by the ruling. The outcome of this battle could have implications for the app store model and the ability of companies to innovate within it.
Emmanuel Macron is plotting to replace Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission, according to reports. The French President is reportedly in talks with other EU leaders about possible alternatives to the German politician, with former European Central Bank president Mario Draghi emerging as a potential contender. Macron is said to be unhappy with von der Leyen’s performance as president, believing that she has “over-politicised” her role. Several EU leaders are also said to be dissatisfied with von der Leyen’s performance, particularly her handling of trade negotiations, climate change, and relations with the US.
TikTok has voluntarily suspended its rewards program in the TikTok Lite app in France and Spain following concerns raised by the European Commission (EC). The EC is investigating the launch of TikTok Lite under the Digital Services Act (DSA), specifically regarding its potential impact on users’ mental health and whether the company conducted a risk assessment before rolling out the program. EC Industry Commissioner Thierry Breton emphasized that children should not be used as guinea pigs for social media and that the DSA aims to ensure the safety of the EU’s online space.
The European Commission has commenced infringement proceedings against Estonia, Poland, and Slovakia for failing to appoint their Digital Services Coordinators, essential regulators under the EU’s platform regulation. Cyprus, Czechia, and Portugal have also received formal letters for not granting their regulators sufficient powers to enforce the Digital Services Act (DSA). The countries have two months to rectify the deficiencies identified by the Commission.
TikTok has submitted a risk assessment report on its new app, TikTok Lite, to the European Commission, thereby averting a potential fine. The EU had raised concerns about the app’s reward program and its potential addictive nature for children. The Commission had set a 24-hour deadline for TikTok to provide the report, and has now confirmed its receipt.
The European Commission has received a response from TikTok regarding its concerns about the mental health risks associated with the new TikTok Lite app’s rewards scheme. The Commission had sent a legally binding order to TikTok requesting an assessment of the potential addictiveness and mental health implications of the scheme, particularly for children. TikTok initially responded by stating that it had conducted a risk assessment but could not share the document. The Commission then issued a binding order, to which TikTok has now replied.
The Commission will now evaluate TikTok’s response and determine the next steps. If it finds that TikTok has not adequately addressed the concerns, it could impose fines of up to 1% of TikTok’s global annual revenue, with periodic fines of 5% of its daily revenue. The Commission is also considering ordering TikTok to suspend the rewards feature if it deems the risks to be too severe.
The Digital Services Act (DSA) requires large platforms to assess and mitigate risks associated with their services, and TikTok’s response to the Commission’s request will be scrutinized to ensure compliance with the new regulations.
The European Commission has conducted unannounced inspections at an unnamed security equipment company as part of its investigation into foreign subsidies. This marks the first time the EU has used its new powers under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation, which aims to address distortions caused by foreign subsidies and ensure a level playing field within the EU market.
