How the EU is transforming technology

Credit: CC0 Public Domain

As millions of voters prepare for next month's European Parliament elections, AFP explores some of the major changes the 27 member states have made in technology.

Goodbye cookies, hello popups

For many years, any website that aimed to make money through advertising relied on cookies.

A small program was installed on our machine and tracked us on the internet.

In 2018, the European Union intervened.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requires websites to ask for consent to protect your personal data.

“I systematically click 'reject',” explains physiotherapist Victoire Philippe. “Nobody wants sites to follow us on the internet.”

However, the user must navigate through pop-up windows and a list of permissions.

Like many internet users, Philip said it was “really annoying” to have to check each box.

digital eraser

The Internet is a haven for oversharing, and it's well known that once information is on the web, it's difficult to remove.

However, a 2014 EU ruling made it much easier for the EU's top court to rule that Google and other search engines have an obligation to delete personal data in some circumstances.

GDPR expanded the rules and created the right to erasure.

“We're definitely seeing an increase in these requests,” said Jerome Delures, a lawyer specializing in digital issues.

Google has repeatedly challenged the rule, but Delures said most of the requests now come from more everyday people asking former employers to erase their personal data.

can walk around freely

Mobile networks used to plague consumers, who could be charged exorbitant fees just to answer a call abroad.

In 2017, the EU banned roaming charges within the region.

Kevin Eon, a French executive who kept his number when he went to work in the Netherlands, said the move had “reduced his mental burden”.

“When I was dealing with all the administrative tasks required to move abroad, I didn't have to buy a Dutch SIM card, I just had to enter my French number. It was a huge time saver.” He said.

Charge everything with one charger

By next year, drawers full of spaghetti junctions of charging cables will be a distant memory.

All manufacturers selling in the region will be required to use USB-C ports on their phones, tablets, speakers, and other portable technology.

Most devices already use these cables, but Apple has been more than a little reluctant.

The company said in 2021 that such restrictions would “stifle innovation,” but by September last year it had started shipping phones at the new port.

Platform flattening

The EU has enacted a number of other laws to level the power of giant platforms that control our online lives.

The rules, which have not yet been fully tested, are intended to force the largest online companies to provide access to their competitors' services.

The immediate effect is that Google is no longer able to quickly redirect users from the search engine to the Maps app whenever they search for a location.

Rebecca (47), who lives in Hannover, Germany, said, “I'm glad the monopoly is gone.''

Stefania Briano, an Italian tourist who uses Google Maps to explore Paris, said the move hasn't changed anything for her. “I wasn't even aware of it,” she said.

2024 AFP

Citation: How the EU is transforming technology (May 6, 2024) Retrieved May 6, 2024 from https://techxplore.com/news/2024-05-eu-tech.html

This document is subject to copyright. No part may be reproduced without written permission, except in fair dealing for personal study or research purposes. Content is provided for informational purposes only.

Sources 1/ https://Google.com/ 2/ https://techxplore.com/news/2024-05-eu-tech.html The mention sources can contact us to remove/changing this article

What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos