Notices by European Commission (eu_commission@social.network.europa.eu)

The rate of remote work in the EU rose from 11.1% in 2019 to 20% in 2022.  
 
The use of digital tools and the possibility to work remotely can carry the risk of an ‘always-on' culture. We want to ensure workers’ rights and well-being are prioritised in this #digital age. 
 
That’s why this week we launched the first-stage consultation of European social partners on fair telework and the right to disconnect.  
 
More → https://europa.eu/!wV3bPn

💙 20 years.
💙 10 countries.
💙 1 enlargement.

On 1 May 2004, the citizens of 🇨🇾 🇨🇿 🇪🇪 🇭🇺 🇱🇻 🇱🇹 🇲🇹 🇵🇱 🇸🇰 🇸🇮 became citizens of the EU.

Since then, we have witnessed growth and prosperity. Real wages have doubled from 2004 to 2023 in these ten countries, while poverty levels have halved.

Our Union has benefitted from more innovations. The free movement of goods, services, capital and people, have brought greater opportunities for people and businesses.

#20YearsTogether

Are you aware of harmful practices by companies under the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act?

We've launched whistleblower tools to report violations of obligations by Very Large Online Platforms, Search Engines and gatekeepers under the #DSA and #DMA.

Make an anonimous report ↓

DSA: https://digital-services-act-whistleblower.integrityline.app/
DMA: https://digital-markets-act-whistleblower.integrityline.app/

We’re digitising your lives with things like the EU Digital Identity Wallet for safe online ID checks and doc shares.

The #EUDigitalIdentity Wallet will allow users to easily obtain, store and share important digital documents, while electronically signing or sealing them for added convenience.

With this tool, control over shared data and access permissions are guaranteed for maximum privacy and security.

📍 It will be a voluntary service available to all who choose to use it.

#EUDelivers

Five years ago, the EU-supported Event Horizon Telescope captured the first-ever image of a black hole.

Two years later, we got this clearer image.

Science is how we move forward and progress.

Since 1984, we have achieved these milestones:

🧪 More than €283 billion invested in research;
👨🔬 More than 100 EU-funded projects supported for over €200 million during the pandemic;
🏆 More than 30 Nobel prizes won by EU-funded researchers.

We invest in science. For a better future.

#EUdelivers

On #InternationalRomaDay, we celebrate the culture of Europe's Roma community, comprising 10-12 million people across the EU and enlargement region.

Yet, many Roma face high levels of antigypsyism and discrimination. The EU's Roma Strategic Framework 2020-2030 aims to change this by:

🔹halving the poverty gap,
🔹 reducing housing shortages,
🔹integrating Roma children into education.

Together, let's build a fair and equal Europe for all.

Read more: https://europa.eu/!W9Vpd7

Nearly 14 million EU nationals live in an EU country different than the one they come from. And about 12 million of them have the right to vote.

If you are one of them, you can vote at the forthcoming European Elections 2024 in your country of residence.

To do that, you may need to register.

Learn more about the concrete registration deadlines in the different EU countries and other practical arrangements.

https://elections.europa.eu/en/ #UseYourVote

Today, we have opened five non-compliance investigations under the Digital Markets Act.

It concerns:
🔹Alphabet’s rules on steering in Google Play
🔹Alphabet’s self-preferencing in Google Search
🔹Apple’s rules on steering in the App Store
🔹Apple's choice screen for Safari
🔹Meta’s ‘pay or consent model’

More info: https://europa.eu/!4NF6bV

#DMA #EU

We've fined Apple over €1.8 billion over abusive App Store rules for music streaming providers.

For a decade, Apple abused its dominant position by restricting developers from informing consumers about alternative, cheaper music services available outside of the Apple ecosystem.

This is illegal under #EU #antitrust rules.

More info: http://europa.eu/!yyFVPj

Today, we pay tribute to the Heavenly Hundred Heroes – the brave souls who sacrificed their lives on the Maidan for Ukraine's freedom in 2014.

A decade on, their vision and ideals have triumphed.

Ukraine will prevail and take its place in our Union.

#StandWithUkraine

🌡️ Fighting climate change
🔬 Scientific breakthroughs
💬 Life hacks

AI has much to offer. Yet, we want to ensure it happens responsibly.

On top of the world-first #AI Act and cutting-edge supercomputers, we are taking action to boost innovation, including:

🔸 setting up AI Factories to support European start-ups and SMEs;
🔹 an AI Office to oversee the implementation and enforcement of the AI Act;
🔸 language data to boost #language model development.

More: https://europa.eu/!V6WKmX

#DigitalEU

This year we marked several important milestones in our history ⬇️

70 years of the common market for coal and steel
65 years since the entry into force of the Treaties of Rome
55 years of the Customs Union
50 years since Denmark and Ireland joined the EU
30 years of the Treaty of Maastricht
30 years of the single market
30 years of Cohesion funds
25 years of the European Central Bank
25 years of Copernicus
10 years since Croatia joined the EU
5 years of the GDPR

What’s on in 2024?

Stay tuned.

The wait is finally over. From 2024, USB-C will be the common standard for electronic devices in the EU – and we have already seen the impact!

It means
🔌The same charger for all phones, tablets and cameras
⚡ Harmonised fast-charging technology
🔄Reduced e-waste

One charger to rule them all.

Now, a reality.

Learn more about the #EUCommonCharger here: https://europa.eu/!hwjj3G

#SingleMarket #DigitalEU

Nearly half of EU households have a furry friend!

Across the EU, animal welfare standards for professional breeding, keeping and selling #dogs and #cats vary widely – resulting in sub-standard practices, sometimes even abuse.

We are introducing uniform rules:
✔ Setting minimum standards
✔ Tightening traceability for online sales to curb illegal trade
✔ Training for handlers and educating buyers on responsible ownership
✔ Import standards to match #EU welfare criteria

ℹ️ https://europa.eu/!BPhqG8

🌡️ 2023 is on track to be the hottest year ever.

🔴 July 2023 was the hottest month recorded on Earth.

🔴 In September the global average temperatures momentarily rose to over 1.5°C above the 20th century baseline.

We’re seeing these records being repeatedly broken and climate impacts felt in unprecedented wildfires, floods, storms and droughts worldwide.

We must act now.

#COP28 starts in less than one week – we are committed to the green transition and will push for real progress.

Introducing the EU Digital Identity Wallet.

This revolutionary tool brings effortless access to private and public services, allowing you to open bank accounts, make payments, and securely store digital documents - all in one place.

With full control over your data, #privacy, and #security, this wallet empowers every citizen, resident, and business.

It is compatible with national eID schemes, enabling you to report data protection violations and enjoy seamless interaction between wallets.

Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, ByteDance, Meta, Microsoft

These are the first 6 companies designated as ‘gatekeepers' under the Digital Markets Act.

They have 6 months to ensure their core platform services comply with our rules, including:

✔ Allowing users to unsubscribe and remove pre-installed services
✔ Allowing the download of alternative app stores

❌ Banning tracking outside of their services without consent
❌ Stopping ranking their products more favourably

➡ https://europa.eu/!NbfBbn

#DMA

Have you ever seen a strange online ad and wondered why?

🏷 The new Digital Services Act will make sure you have the answer through clear labelling of ads on online platforms.

🚫 Ads targeting minors based on their personal data will be banned altogether from online platforms.

#DigitalEU #DSA

📣 Calling all EU history enthusiasts

We have three essential stops to learn about the EU history in a fun and interactive way for your next visit to Brussels.

#ExperienceEurope ⤵️

📍 Rue Archimède 1, 1000 Brussels

House of European History ⤵️

📍 Rue Belliard 135, 1000 Brussels

Parlamentarium ⤵️

📍 Esplanade Solidarność 1980 Rue Wiertz 60, 1047 Brussels

ℹ️ Free access. Open 7 days a week with translations in all 24 EU official languages.

If you are reading this, you enjoy the openness and decentralisation of Web 3.0.

On #WorldWideWebDay, let's fast-forward to the future.

Web 4.0 will blend virtual and real environments while boosting innovation, rich content and industrial applications.

To ensure everyone benefits from it, we will:
- Shape global standards for open Web 4.0
- Foster a European Web 4.0 industrial ecosystem
- Boost access to trusted information
- Support virtual public services

How? ➡ https://europa.eu/!hJrNc4